When was the last time you thought about your web presence? Trust us, these days you don’t need to be an influencer to have a presence online.
Everyone leaves a digital footprint in today’s highly connected work, and it’s important to know what people can find about you on the web. If you’ve ever searched for the phrase how to get rid of your digital footprint, you’re tech-savvy enough to know how important privacy is online.
Curious about why so many regular people are concerned about their digital presence? Read on to learn why your footprint is important, and how you can erase it.
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The Dangers of the Digital Footprint
It’s been well-known that websites and social platforms sell your data to marketers and other companies. This isn’t as simple as letting someone know that you’re interested in buying a product. Companies can know your name, address, birthday, personal connections, shopping habits, and even your location.
If that data gets into the wrong hands, you leave yourself open to security vulnerabilities. You could find yourself as a victim of identity theft, or even cyberstalking.
How to Get Rid of Your Digital Footprint
It’s important to note that some user agreements you may have signed with platforms could mean that some of your data will live with the company. They may have some information, but you can still take steps to protect your privacy online going forward.
Now that you know just how powerful a digital footprint can be, we’re going to tell you what you need to do to start erasing it.
Delete Old Accounts
If you’re asking yourself the question “should I delete my Twitter account that I barely use”, the answer is a resounding yes.
Even if you’re not currently logged in to certain social platforms or email addresses, certain settings may still allow an app or platform to collect user data in the background.
Pay Attention to User Agreements
Many of us accidentally agree to give up our privacy when we accept user agreements. Before you install anything on your phone, do a quick scan for the words “data usage” and “privacy” to see where companies stand on the issue.
After you read some user agreements, you may find that it’s next to impossible to use an app or social platform without sharing personal data. If that’s the case, it’s best to give it up for good.
Staying off of social completely may be a good idea for people concerned about privacy. The latest Tik-Tok scandal can show that you never know who is collecting your data.
Use Privacy-Focused Products
Are you tired of Google using and selling your data? Using an alternative like Duck Duck Go can give you the search results you need without stealing your data. Pairing that with adblocking software can do a lot to help keep your data safe.
There are plenty of developers that are creating digital products that put the user’s privacy first. Seek them out and use their products going forward to preserve the privacy you just created.
Control Your Digital Future
Knowing how to get rid of your digital footprint can be freeing, but there are plenty of other things you can do to protect your privacy.
We have plenty of content around data, privacy, and the digital space on our site. Browse what we have to offer so you can learn more about topics that matter the most to you.
