Personal and sensitive information is everywhere, and the headlines are full of stories about data breaches on an almost daily basis. As we rely more and more on technology for communication, transactions, and daily activities, the need to safeguard our personal data has never been more critical. One of the most important things you can do for your own digital security is to regularly check and manage the privacy and sharing settings of the devices and websites you use.
Who has your data?
Think about all of the devices you use, from smartphones, tablets, laptops, to voice assistants like Amazon’s Alexa and other smart devices, such as televisions and streaming boxes. Then, you use all of those devices to access online services, such as social media, email, videos, online stores, and more. From our names and contact information, to our browsing habits and preferences, there’s a huge amount of information about each of us stored by these devices and online services. When properly managed and secured, this data helps improve your experiences, showing you relevant information and sharing more about the things you’re interested in.
The flip side is that this data is also susceptible to various forms of cyber threats, including identity theft, data breaches, and privacy invasions. Hackers are constantly devising new techniques to exploit security gaps, and unwittingly, we may expose ourselves to these threats by overlooking our privacy settings. Unfortunately, even though you may have done an outstanding job creating a robust defense against potential risks, hackers may still have been able to access your data in one of hundreds of breaches over the last several years. So additional data is likely stored in the cyberspace that you’ll never be able to delete or control.
The Importance of Regular Privacy Checks
There are several reasons that it’s a great ideas to check your privacy settings on a regular basis. First, technology is constantly improving and adapting to be more security. Regular security updates are becoming the norm for all sorts of devices and websites. Operating systems, applications, and online sites regularly release new features, bug fixes, and security patches. Routinely checking and updating your privacy settings, ensures your data is protected with the latest defenses against emerging threats. This includes improving protections for accessing your personal information, such as strengthening passwords, using unique passwords for every login, and enabling two-factor authentication.
Similarly, new data protection regulations, such as GDPR and CCPA, continue to evolve, and give individuals greater control over their personal data. The next time you check and adjust your privacy settings, you will probably find more options for seeing what data the company has and a greater selection of options for protecting that information. Companies that don’t comply with these new and emerging regulations can face big legal consequences and penalties.
If companies don’t have information, it can’t be stolen by hackers. Regularly delete old information and adjust your privacy controls to cut down on the amount of personal data these devices and online resources have about you. This is particularly true when it comes to social media, where many celebrities and personalities have been criticized for post they’ve made years prior. Even if you’re not a celebrity, you may not want a current or future employer viewing opinions or information you’ve shared previously on social media. Regular privacy checks help maintain control over your online presence and safeguard your digital reputation, preventing unintended consequences and misunderstandings.
Steps for Checking Privacy Settings
- Start with the devices you own, including your phone, computers, and laptops. Make sure the operating system, applications, and security software are up to date. Review the permissions for apps and features, limiting access to only the necessary information.
- Dive into the privacy settings of your social media accounts. Review who can see your posts, access your profile information, and interact with your content. Adjust settings to align with your comfort level, keeping in mind the balance between sharing and protecting your personal space.
- Check the privacy settings for your email accounts and communication or messaging platforms. Secure your accounts with strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication. Review privacy controls for sharing personal information and adjust settings accordingly.
- Review the settings of online apps and services. Whether it’s cloud storage, productivity tools, or online services, regularly review and manage the privacy settings associated with these platforms. Understand how your data is stored, who has access, and what measures are in place to protect your information.
- Your web browser is a gateway to the online world. Check and adjust your browser settings to enhance privacy. This includes managing cookies, controlling location tracking, and considering the use of browser extensions that bolster privacy. Also, don’t forget about plug-ins you may have installed to improve your browsing experience. Unfortunately, there are hundreds of browser plugins that have slipped through the cracks and contain malicious code.
- Set a reminder to do another privacy check, and make it a routine part of your digital hygiene. Set a schedule to review and update your privacy settings at regular intervals, especially after significant updates or changes in your digital ecosystem. Stay informed about the latest trends in cybersecurity and data privacy and keep an eye on what new features and options are available within your devices and online platforms. Being aware of potential risks allows you to make informed decisions when adjusting privacy settings.
In a world where your personal data is both a valuable asset and a potential liability, taking control of it is an important step towards safeguarding your personal and sensitive information. Regularly checking and adjusting privacy and sharing settings is not just a precautionary measure, but a responsibility in the digital age. So, take a moment today to check those privacy settings.
How to view or change your privacy and security settings on popular devices and online services:
E-commerce | Mobile Banking | Email and Messaging |
Social Networks | Mobile/Location Services | Health Applications |
Web Browsers | Streaming Platforms | Food Delivery Services |
Music | Online Conferencing | Online Dating |
Photo and Video Sharing | Ride Share / Scooter Rental Services | Travel |
Search Engines | Misc. |
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Contact us and we’ll add it.
Consider using opt out services that help remove your data
Manual opt-outs are doable for a handful of high-impact brokers, but there are hundreds of data brokers and people-search sites. Paid services help because they scan many sites, submit requests repeatedly, and monitor for re-listing (because your info tends to come back). Here are credible options, with what they’re good at:
Incogni (The Automator): Incogni, owned by Surfshark, is built for efficiency. It uses legal frameworks (like GDPR and CCPA) to send waves of automated requests. It is particularly strong at tackling “private” marketing brokers that don’t have public-facing search pages. Its suppression list feature is a standout, actively telling brokers not to re-add you once you’ve been removed.
Optery (The Evidence-Seeker): Optery is widely considered the most transparent. Even their free tier is useful because it provides an “Exposure Report” showing you exactly where you are listed. At higher tiers, they use a “Humans + Machines” approach. The inclusion of before-and-after screenshots is their “killer feature,” giving you visual proof that a listing is truly gone.
PrivacyHawk (The Corporate Footprint Specialist): PrivacyHawk goes beyond standard data brokers by targeting the corporate databases of thousands of companies you’ve interacted with (retailers, apps, etc.). By scanning your inbox (with permission), it identifies which companies have your data and sends automated “Delete” or “Do Not Sell” requests to reduce your risk in future data breaches. It also features a “Privacy Score” (300-850) that tracks your progress, similar to a credit score.
DeleteMe (The Human Touch): As one of the oldest players, DeleteMe relies heavily on human privacy experts. While AI handles the bulk, people actually call or email brokers to ensure tricky removals are completed. It covers a vast number of sites (750+) and is excellent if you have a complex digital footprint that requires more than just an automated script.
OneRep (The Family Value): OneRep is built for “set-it-and-forget-it” users. It focuses heavily on the most visible “People Search” sites (like WhitePages or Spokeo). Its dashboard is very user-friendly, and it offers one of the most affordable family plans, covering up to six people for a lower price point than many premium competitors.
