BT Phone Book opt-out
bt.com How to remove yourself from BT Phone Book
Call BT on 0330 123 4150 and ask to go ex-directory. BT's help page says it's free and lists two options: one keeps your number out of directories altogether, the other keeps it out of the book but still shares it through Directory Enquiries.
On average, Serus sends about 184 removal requests per person, 89% of them to data brokers, so expect BT Phone Book to be one of many.
Reviewed by Anthon Wansland
Head of Product & Co-Founder
Serus is a privacy company with paid tools to find and remove your personal data. This guide shows the free way to do it yourself.
- Opt-out page
- bt.com
- Method
- Phone
- Cost
- Free
- Last updated
BT Phone Book doesn't say how long removal takes. Under California law, a business has 45 days to act on a deletion request (15 business days for an opt-out of sale).
How to opt out of BT Phone Book
- 1
Read BT's ex-directory page
BT's ex-directory services page explains the options before you call.
- 2
Pick the option you want
"Ex-directory - No calls" keeps your details out of BT's directory listings and Directory Enquiries. "Directory Enquiries Only" keeps you out of the printed book and online directory but still gives your number to callers who ask Directory Enquiries.
- 3
Call BT on 0330 123 4150
BT's help pages give this as the sign-up route. Have your account details to hand and ask for the option you chose.
- 4
Ask your other phone providers too
Each provider lists its own customers, so do the same with any mobile or second landline account that appears in a directory.
Watch out for
- BT only handles its own customers' listings. If your landline is with another provider, ex-directory is a request to that provider.
- The 0330 1234 150 number on BT's help page is a separate line for its copper network retirement support, so don't mix the two up.
Sources checked: bt.com
Last verified against the official page:
What BT Phone Book holds about you
- Full name and aliases
- Current address
- Phone numbers
What BT Phone Book is known to collect, not a check of your listing.
Does it come back?
BT doesn't publish a relisting policy. If you change provider or move, check that your ex-directory status carried over.
Your rights
United Kingdom: UK GDPR. You can ask any company to erase your personal data and to stop using it for direct marketing. It has one month to respond. If it doesn't, you can complain to the ICO. Read the full guide.
General information, not legal advice.
Frequently asked
Does going ex-directory cost anything?
No. BT's help pages describe both ex-directory options as free.
What's the difference between the two BT options?
"Ex-directory - No calls" keeps you out of the phone book and Directory Enquiries. "Directory Enquiries Only" keeps you out of the printed and online directory but not Directory Enquiries.
Will this remove me from other people-search sites?
No. It changes how BT lists your landline. Sites that already copied your details hold their own records, and each has its own opt-out.
Related guide How to delete yourself and your information from the internet 
Something changed? If these steps no longer match the BT Phone Book opt-out, tell us and we'll re-check it.
