World Check: What Is And How To Remove Your Data
Removing data from World Check (Refinitiv), LexisNexis and other databases
We provide comprehensive services aimed to remove all your data and negative (or any other) information associated with you from World Check and LexisNexis.
The client himself determines what information about himself he would like to remove from these databases (as a rule, it is a reference to a person in a negative context, or a direct reference to criminal proceedings against an individual, or other information that entails certain risks for the client and is an obstacle to the realisation of a number of his rights, including – for relations with banks, counterparties and doing business in general).
Our team of experts will conduct a comprehensive audit of your digital footprint in these systems and take all necessary steps to remove all information associated with you from the LexisNexis and World Check databases.
World Check and LexisNexis services:
- Full consulting support throughout the entire data deletion process, including consultancy all possible related questions.
- In-depth analysis and identification of all points of presence of your data in the specified databases, as well as in other information systems that may have extracted (copied) your data from the specified databases and disseminated it in other sources (including – in mass media, online publications, social networks, etc.).
- Submitting formal requests and documents for data deletion in accordance with current legislation and organisations’ data procedures.
- Monitoring the status of data deletion and providing you with reports on progress and results.
- Advice on further protecting your personal data, minimising a negative digital footprint, preventing negative legal and reputational consequences.
We can also contribute to the creation of a positive client image, both nationally and globally, by providing reputation management services.
Reasons for Being Listed on World-Check
| Reason | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Compliance | Listed due to financial or other regulatory requirements. |
| Risk Assessment | Identified as a potential risk in financial transactions. |
| Legal Investigations | Linked to ongoing or past legal investigations. |
| Sanctions and Watchlists | Included in global sanctions or watch lists. |
What is World Check?
World Check, also known as Refinitiv World Check, is a comprehensive database actively used for comprehensive analytical procedures, know-your-customer (KYC) audits, and third-party risk assessments. Simply put, World Check and similar databases serve as a tool for financial institutions, law firms, insurance agencies and various other organisations to perform mandatory customer due diligence checks. These checks include the collection and ongoing updating of personal information about customers.
The data sources for World Check come from a variety of external information providers, including data on individuals who may be classified as high risk in the context of anti-money laundering (AML). These individuals include individuals defined as Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs), those on the sanctions list, and those with a history of legal, regulatory or criminal problems. Due to these circumstances, they are subject to detailed due diligence checks and financial audits.
Examples of World Check database applications include tracking transactions and financial flows related to sanctions-listed individuals, preventing interactions with individuals involved in corrupt practices, and screening for possible involvement in terrorist activities, organised crime, and economic crimes (embezzlement, tax evasion, money laundering, fraud). This data helps institutions to comply with international and national legislation, preventing financial risks and preserving their company’s reputation.
How can these databases affect me?
The companies that operate these databases may seem like obscure organisations, but the impact they can have on an individual’s ability to freely operate, travel and conduct business in a global world is significant. In seemingly routine activities such as opening a bank account, renting a flat, obtaining a loan, hiring a lawyer or starting a business relationship, individuals are subject to a multitude of regulatory and legal checks.
It is at this stage that these databases become an invaluable source of information on which institutions and organisations rely when deciding whether to engage with a particular individual. Consequently, there can understandably be significant negative consequences for potential clients if these databases contain negative or inaccurate information.
Removing negative information from LexisNexis and World Check databases is an investment in your digital security and peace of mind, as well as in your family’s good name and reputation, ensuring that your personal data and information related to you will be handled with the utmost confidentiality and professionalism, and negative mentions in this vein will be permanently removed.
Please contact us to discuss the details of your case. Our lawyers do not charge for initial consultation and review of the case files.
Crooks for requesting removal from World-Check
Step 1. Collection and analysis of information
Before requesting deletion, it is important to ensure that you (or your company) are actually listed on World-Check. If the information is not directly available (due to the secrecy of the database), it is worth contacting professional lawyers who can send a request to Refinitiv.
Specialists will analyze exactly why your entry appeared in World-Check. If there are court documents, certificates of dismissal of charges, official decisions to lift sanctions, they need to be collected in a separate folder.
Step 2. Official application to Refinitiv
Official website Refinitiv contains a customer support section that tells you how to contact their data protection or compliance department. You can send a request in writing (to the address indicated on the website) or through special forms for requests.
The letter (or application) must clearly indicate:
- Full name/company name and details by which you can be identified (date of birth, ID number, legal address, etc.);
- The reasons why you believe the data in World-Check is erroneous or out of date;
- Links to documents confirming your position (copies of court decisions, official certificates, refutations from the media, decisions to annul sanctions).
Please attach the following documents to your application:
- Court decisions: decisions to dismiss the case, acquittals, appeal documents;
- Official letters from government agencies confirming the dismissal of charges or other status;
- Certificates from sanctions lists;
- Other materials demonstrating that the information in World-Check is inaccurate or no longer relevant.
After receiving your request Refinitiv sends confirmation that it has been accepted for processing. Official terms are not regulated, but usually we are talking about several weeks or 1-3 months. Much depends on the complexity of the situation and the amount of evidence provided.
The company may ask for additional documents or explanations if it considers the evidence to be insufficient. It is important to respond quickly and provide the necessary information to speed up the review.
Steps to Request Removal from World-Check
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Identify Need: Determine if you are listed on World-Check. |
| 2 | Gather Information: Prepare necessary personal information. |
| 3 | Submit Request: Send a data subject access request to World-Check. |
| 4 | Follow Up: Contact World-Check for updates and confirmation of removal. |
Reputation protection services for businesses and individuals
Our law firm offers comprehensive reputation protection services and is ready to help both businesses and individuals.
Having a negative or outdated entry in World-Check can damage your business reputation, scare off clients and investors, and lead to the termination of already concluded contracts. The procedure for deleting or correcting data in World-Check requires specific knowledge, official documents and legal support.
A team of experienced lawyers will analyze whether World-Check contains information about you or your company, and in what contexts: sanctions, court decisions, negative publications, references to political activities. Based on the results, we will provide recommendations: whether it is necessary to initiate the procedure for deleting/correcting the record or whether it is worth strengthening the reputation in other ways.
If the information in World-Check is presented incorrectly or is out of date, we can collect the necessary court documents, certificates, official refutations confirming unreasonableness/irrelevance information. We also help prepare a detailed justification for why the data should be deleted (withdrawal of charges, termination of sanction status).
Our team of attorneys is familiar with the process of contacting Refinitiv to remove or correct records. We prepare an official package of documents and negotiate with representatives of the base.
If a bank or financial institution freezes your accounts due to World-Check citations, we will mediate a settlement. We provide evidence of innocence or obsolescence of data, seeking to remove restrictions.
Request a consultation today!
We know the peculiarities of different jurisdictions, we know how to interact with foreign banks and partners, which is especially important when resolving issues related to World-Check and cross-border transactions.
In addition to the specific task of removing information, our team deals with the entire range of reputation issues: from due diligence of potential partners to transaction support and defense in courts. Our priority is to protect the interests and reputation of the client.
If you are experiencing problems with your World-Check entries or want to prevent negative consequences for your business or personal reputation, please contact us. We offer an initial consultation to assess the current situation and possible risks, comprehensive legal support, as well as reputation protection in interaction with the media and online resources, if the situation requires it.
Contact us right now, and our team will provide qualified legal assistance and ensure a stable business and personal reputation at the global level.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is World-Check and why would I need a lawyer to remove my data from it?
World-Check is a private risk-intelligence database owned by the London Stock Exchange Group, used by banks and financial institutions to screen clients against sanctions, criminal records, and adverse media. You may need a lawyer because removal requires proving inaccuracy or outdated data under Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR) Articles 16 and 17, navigating the data controller’s response obligations, and distinguishing your case from an Interpol notice challenge, which follows a separate Commission for the Control of Interpol’s Files (CCF) procedure governed by Interpol’s Constitution Articles 2 and 3.
What is the legal process for removing personal information from World-Check records?
Removing personal information from World-Check requires first submitting a data-subject access request and formal rectification or erasure demand to the controller under GDPR Articles 16 and 17, citing inaccuracy or outdated processing grounds. The controller must respond without undue delay and within one month under Article 12(3), extendable by two further months. Supporting evidence includes national court judgments quashing charges, acquittals, or proof that underlying sanctions or adverse media no longer apply. Where the listing stems from public sanctions lists, you may also challenge the competent authority maintaining the underlying record under Council Regulations (EC) No 2580/2001 or (EU) No 269/2014.
How long does it typically take to remove data from World-Check with legal assistance?
The initial controller response is legally required within one month under GDPR Article 12(3), extendable by two further months where necessary, meaning a total maximum of three months for the data controller’s formal reply. If the controller refuses, judicial or supervisory-authority proceedings add further time. Cases involving underlying Interpol notices require separate CCF requests under Interpol’s Rules on the Processing of Data, which have no fixed statutory deadline and depend on admissibility review and subsequent stages, often extending six to eighteen months in practice depending on complexity and the need for additional evidence.
What are the average costs of hiring a World-Check data removal lawyer?
Legal fees for World-Check removal vary by case complexity, jurisdiction, and whether parallel Interpol or sanctions-list challenges are required. A straightforward GDPR rectification or erasure request under Articles 16 and 17 may cost between £2,000 and £10,000, covering initial assessment, evidence gathering, formal demand drafting, and one round of correspondence with the controller. Cases requiring national court evidence, supervisory-authority complaints, or coordination with CCF proceedings under Interpol’s Constitution Articles 2 and 3 typically range from £10,000 to £50,000 or more, reflecting the multi-jurisdictional and evidentiary burden of proving inaccuracy or political motivation as recognized in cases such as Navalnyy v. Russia (ECHR, GC 2018).
Does World-Check data removal fall under GDPR, and how does that affect my case?
Yes, World-Check data removal falls under Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR) when the controller processes personal data of individuals in the EU or offers services to EU data subjects. GDPR Article 5(1)(d) requires data accuracy, Article 16 grants the right to rectification, and Article 17 the right to erasure where data are inaccurate, outdated, or no longer necessary. Article 12(3) mandates controller response within one month, extendable by two months. Where World-Check entries derive from sanctions data, compliance with Council Regulations (EC) No 2580/2001 and (EU) No 269/2014 on asset-freezing regimes also applies, requiring accurate identification and lawful processing of criminal-offence data under GDPR Article 10.
What jurisdictional differences exist when filing World-Check removal requests in different countries?
Jurisdictional differences turn on where the data controller is established and which supervisory authority has competence under GDPR Articles 55 and 56. World-Check’s controller, part of the London Stock Exchange Group, is subject to UK GDPR post-Brexit or EU GDPR where EU data subjects are concerned, affecting enforcement and complaint routes. National courts in EU member states apply GDPR uniformly but interpret proportionality and accuracy under local case law. Outside the EU, countries without adequacy decisions or equivalent data-protection laws offer limited formal mechanisms, requiring reliance on contractual terms, local privacy statutes, or bilateral agreements. Parallel Interpol notice challenges depend on the issuing National Central Bureau and Interpol’s Constitution Articles 2 and 3, not the World-Check controller’s location.
Can a World-Check data removal lawyer help if I've been incorrectly flagged or listed in error?
Yes, a World-Check data removal lawyer can challenge incorrect flagging by invoking GDPR Article 16 (rectification) and Article 17 (erasure) to compel the controller to correct or delete inaccurate personal data within one month under Article 12(3). The lawyer gathers evidence such as court judgments dismissing charges, acquittals, or proof of mistaken identity, and may cite ECHR case law including M.K. v. France (Application No. 19522/09, 2013) and S. and Marper v. the United Kingdom (Applications Nos. 30562/04 and 30566/04, Grand Chamber 2008) to argue that disproportionate retention violates Article 8 privacy rights. Where the error originates from an Interpol notice, separate proceedings before the CCF under Interpol’s Rules on the Processing of Data are required.
