JUSTICE OKAMGBA explores ways to manage your digital footprint and protect personal data online
When you sign up for different things on the internet, you are leaving your digital footprint. It includes everything from social media activity and online purchases to browsing history and emails.
Whether intentional or not, this data can be tracked, analysed, and even exploited, affecting your privacy, reputation, and security. Managing your digital footprint is essential in today’s world, where cyber threats, identity theft, and data breaches are increasingly common.
Completely erasing a digital footprint is nearly impossible, but experts agree that individuals can take steps to reduce risks and protect their privacy.
According to Product Specialist at Scalefusion, Rohit Surwase, managing a digital footprint means taking control of the information you share online and ensuring your online presence aligns with your privacy and security preferences.
He suggested that Mobile Device Management can help manage aspects of your digital footprint, especially on mobile devices.
Leaving your digital footprint unmanaged can lead to several risks. Privacy concerns arise when personal information becomes accessible to strangers, marketers, or even hackers.
Cybersecurity threats increase when too much information is exposed online, making individuals vulnerable to identity theft or fraud. Professional impact can be significant, as employers often check digital footprints when hiring.
Inappropriate posts or controversial opinions could affect job prospects. Reputation management is another issue, as old posts, photos, or comments can resurface and cause embarrassment or harm.
Adjusting privacy settings is one of the simplest ways to control a digital footprint.
Surwase emphasised the importance of restricting who can view posts and personal information. Many platforms allow customisation of audience settings so that only trusted contacts can see content.
To reduce digital exposure, experts recommend reviewing privacy settings on social media accounts. “Regularly update your privacy settings to control who can see your posts and personal information,” Surwase advised.
Experts warn that an unmonitored digital footprint can expose individuals to various risks.
Computer scientist Kiran Parikh said an extensive digital footprint increases the chances of data theft, making it difficult to remove information once it is available online.
“Cleaning it is quite difficult, but we can discover it and do everything possible to eliminate it,” he said.
Parikh advised individuals to periodically search their names on Google to identify what information about them is publicly available.
“If you find anything related to you that is sensitive, contact the website owner and request removal,” he said.
Another concern is how personal data can be misused. An executive at Tor Project, Shava Nerad, highlighted how easily information can be exploited.
She recounted a security demonstration in which she gathered enough publicly available details about a Google executive’s children to simulate a potential kidnapping scenario.
“Good thing I’m on the right side,” she said. “There’s no one more qualified than an expert in privacy to turn around and investigate people online.”
Parikh also suggested several steps to minimise digital footprints. “Turn off tagging on social media platforms, use private browsing modes like Chrome’s incognito mode, and unsubscribe from unwanted email lists,” he said.
He further recommended adjusting privacy settings on apps and devices, changing passwords regularly, and deleting unused accounts.
Experts also warn against using real names online whenever possible.
Nerad pointed out that people in Canada and the US have limited options for removing personal information from the web compared to those in the EU, where privacy laws like the “right to be forgotten” provide stronger protections.
“If you want to reduce your footprint, stop using your real name and your photographic image everywhere,” she advised.
Nerad emphasised that individuals must be cautious about what they share online, particularly when it involves children.
“Because you include kids in your profile on LinkedIn, I could—had I access to facial recognition software—figure out if those were your kids and where they were enrolled in school, and so on,” she said.
Another internet user, who spoke anonymously, said striving for complete digital anonymity is unrealistic.
“Totally hiding it is pretty much impossible. Striving for that would lead to insanity and a very unusual lifestyle,” the user said.
However, they noted that individuals could take practical steps, such as turning off location tracking on smartphones, avoiding products that monitor location, and not using voice assistants like Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant.
Location tracking is another major factor in digital privacy. Many websites and apps collect location data, which can reveal patterns of movement and personal routines.
“Never use Google Maps, Waze, Apple Maps, or any other product that tracks your location,” the anonymous user advised.
The growing use of smart devices also adds to digital footprints. “Do not hook up televisions to the internet—some have built-in cameras and microphones over which you have zero control,” the user warned.
While some individuals seek to minimise their digital footprint, others deliberately build an online presence for personal branding or business purposes.
Yaron Cohen noted that privacy preferences vary widely. “Some people are a bit more sensitive than others in regard to their digital footprint,” he said.
“One might not want everyone to know about them because they are involved in the development of a secret startup or just because they prefer to keep their lives private.”
In contrast, some individuals actively cultivate their online presence to establish credibility. “People who want to build a personal brand use platforms like LinkedIn and blogs to share their expertise,” Cohen said.
