In the online space, data privacy is one of the most important topics for users to understand. As almost every online activity is tracked, protecting your personal information has never been more important. Despite this, many who browse the internet neglect or are unaware of how much information is collected.
Understanding how to delete your personal information is the first step when it comes to keeping your information safe online. With that said let’s take a look at the ten surprising facts about data privacy that every internet user should know.
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Your Data Is Being Tracked Constantly
Every time you browse the internet, no matter how mundane or serious the task, your activity is being monitored. Be it through cookies, your IP address, or web beacons, companies collect your habitual and personal data. This data is then used for targeted advertising, content recommendations, and even pricing strategies.
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Data Breaches Are More Common Than You Think
Data breaches have been getting more frequent in recent years, with 422 million individuals affected by them just in 2023. These breaches expose sensitive and personal information such as passwords, payment details, and personal identification details. This places users at risk of identity theft and financial fraud.
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Data Brokers Know More About You Than You Realize
Data brokers are the companies that collect and sell your personal information to third parties. This is usually done without your knowledge or consent, which is why most people are unaware of the company’s existence or what happens to their data. The data they sell is gathered from many places online and often includes everything from your home address to your spending habits.
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Cookies Are More Than Just For Saving Preferences
While cookies can help save your login information or remember your shopping cart, they also track your online activity. The worst offenders are third-party cookies which can track you across multiple websites and compile data on your interests. While this data is often used for personalized advertising it can also be sold to other companies and data brokers.
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Social Media Is A Major Data Collection Tool
Every post and interaction you make on social media platforms contributes to your growing profile on. The largest social media companies collect vast amounts of personal data such as your location, interactions, and even your photos. This data is primarily used for advertising, however, it is shared with third-party panthers, often without your knowledge or consent.
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Incognito Mode Doesn’t Make You Invisible
Many users believe that if they browse the internet through their browsers in ‘’Incognito’’ mode, they will get full anonymity. However, this is a misconception as the mode simply prevents your browser from saving your browsing history and cookies. However, your activity is still tracked by websites and ISPs. Additionally, ‘’Incognito’’ mode doesn’t hide your IP address unless you utilize a VPN.
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Your Data Can Be Sold Multiple Times
Once your personal information is out there it is sold to multiple companies. Data brokers sell your data to many different institutions ranging from advertisers to political organizations. Your data can change hands multiple times and spread across many different industries in ways you might never expect.
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The Dark Web Is A Marketplace For Your Data
Stolen data often finds its way to the dark web, where it is bought and sold by cybercriminals. This is the primary way how identity theft and fraud happen. The worst part about these scenarios is that they are very difficult to resolve. The process can be time-consuming and costly, which is why preventing data breaches and utilizing data removal services is so important.
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Biometric Data Is At Risk Too
As mobile phones and other technologies adapted fingerprint scanners and facial technology, biometric data is becoming a popular target. Biometric data is nearly impossible to change, which makes it a very valuable and dangerous type of information to be leaked. Despite its convenience, it poses a significant risk if not properly protected. So try to minimize how much of your biometric data is out on the internet by only utilizing it where you must.
Final Thoughts
As it stands data privacy is a complex and continuously evolving issue that brings new risks as technology advances. This is why it is important to understand the many nuanced and surprising facts about data privacy. Understanding is the first step toward protecting your information in the digital age, especially when it’s clear that your data is more vulnerable than ever. To counter this pressing issue and stay ahead of the curve make sure to protect yourself by staying informed and proactive about data privacy.
