Case Study: EraseMe
Helping people regain control of their digital footprint with support from the business support programme Smart Start Brentwood
Founder Elvijs Izaks launched EraseMe with a clear mission: helping people to remove unwanted personal information from the internet and regain control over their online identity.
Coming from a professional screening background, Elvijs spent around six years helping companies to carry out background checks on prospective employees. During that time, he began questioning how much personal information was publicly available online, and how little control individuals had over it.
““I thought to myself, it’s a bit unfair that companies could easy find information and dig around into your history and you really don’t have any say over what’s happening.””
That curiosity led him to research digital footprints, data brokers, online records and how personal information is collected, stored and monetised. What began as helping friends and family “Google themselves” to see what came up, quickly revealed just how much data about us all exists online.
From leaked profiles and indexed articles to personal images and searchable databases, Elvijs realised there was a growing need for a service dedicated to helping people reclaim their privacy.
As artificial intelligence, facial recognition technology and large-scale data collection become increasingly common, concerns around digital privacy and personal information exposure continue to grow. From AI-powered search tools to the ease of identifying individuals through images and online records, many people are becoming more aware of how accessible their personal data can be — and the potential long-term impact that can have on careers, reputations and personal safety. Services like EraseMe are emerging in response to that growing need for greater control over online identity and privacy.
What is EraseMe?
EraseMe helps clients remove, de-index or anonymise sensitive personal information found online.
The business can support a wide range of individuals and organisations, including:
Professionals concerned about old or misleading online articles
Businesses wanting to reduce unwanted sales targeting and spam activity
Content creators seeking to remove stolen or leaked material
Victims of image abuse or revenge porn
Individuals worried about personal data exposure online
A key part of the service involves finding the personal information and then requesting removal of content under GDPR Article 17 — often referred to as the “right to be forgotten.” In many cases, search engines can de-index results so that damaging or outdated content no longer appears when someone searches a person’s name.
Elvijs also works directly with websites and publishers to request deletion or anonymisation of content where appropriate.
The business also uses specialist facial recognition technology to identify where images or videos may have been reposted online without consent, helping clients track down and remove harmful content across forums and websites.
However, Elvijs is clear that the service operates within strict legal boundaries
“The law is very clear about what can and can’t be removed, and we will always adhere to that.”
The importance of data security
Alongside helping clients remove unwanted information, EraseMe also promotes better digital safety habits and awareness around personal data security.
Elvijs believes many people underestimate how much information can be exposed through poor online security practices.
Some of the key advice he shares includes:
• Avoid reusing the same password across multiple platforms
• Regularly update email account passwords
• Delete apps and accounts that are no longer being used
• Review what personal information is publicly accessible online
• Be aware of how companies collect and use your data
Email accounts are particularly important to protect, as they often contain sensitive personal information, account recovery access and years of stored communications.
By combining practical cybersecurity awareness with legal data-removal services, EraseMe aims to help people feel safer and more in control of their data.
Finding support through Smart Start Brentwood
Like many early-stage businesses, one of the biggest challenges for Elvijs was accessing support and funding while building the company.
“The challenges that come with starting a business are a lot. You have so many things to consider, and setup, and the costs of that can very quickly add up.”
While bootstrapping the business, Elvijs was investing heavily into improving the website, refining processes, licensing specialist software and attracting new clients.
After discovering the Smart Start Brentwood programme, he applied for support and was particularly encouraged by the opportunity to access a £1,000 grant.
“I was at a crucial stage of my business where the grant would be a massive help. All of my funds were committed to getting more clients, and so having some additional funds would help me reach my goals a bit faster.”
Funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, via Brentwood Borough Council, the Smart Start Brentwood programme is a free business support initiative designed to help entrepreneurs and businesses in Brentwood that are less than three years old to start, grow and scale. The programme offered practical workshops, one-to-one mentoring and access to funding opportunities, including start-up grants of up to £1,000
Working with a business advisor from Let’s Do Business Group, who delivered the programme, Elvijs accessed one-to-one support that provided him impartial advice and helped him identify useful contacts and resources for marketing, business development and growth opportunities.
A straightforward grant application process
Elvijs described the grant application process as one of the simplest he had experienced.
“From all the grants that I have applied for… I think it was the easiest one. It was great that it focused on how the support would help my business.”
Following the successful application, EraseMe was awarded a £1,000 grant through the programme.
The funding is being used to support several areas of business growth, including:
Google advertising campaigns
Specialist facial recognition software licensing
ICO registration and compliance costs
SEO and website improvements
Elvijs explained that improving the customer experience remains a key priority before increasing advertising activity.
“Before I start the advertising, I want to make sure my website is bulletproof.”
Looking ahead
Looking ahead, Elvijs hopes to grow EraseMe into a full-time business and continue expanding its reach.
His immediate focus is on refining systems, attracting more clients and continuing to help individuals protect their online reputation and privacy.
For aspiring entrepreneurs, his advice is grounded in patience and consistency.
“Rome wasn’t built in one day, and it’s the same for a business. Focus on one task at a time, and take each day as it comes.”
For more information on EraseMe visit the website - https://eraseme.co.uk/