How Much Of Your Data Is Being Collected By Big Business?

If there is one technology, element, or technique that is most likely to define the future era of automobiles and beyond, it’s the rise of data and AI. Businesses are able to collect more and more data that offers them greater insights into not just the preferences of their target markets but can even help them predict the behaviors of individual consumers. However, as a consumer, it’s easy to be disturbed by this fact. How much data is being collected on you, and what can you do about it?

Start Saying ‘No’ to Non-Essential Data Collection

One of the most effective ways to stop businesses from collecting unnecessary data is to simply say ‘no’ when prompted for non-essential information. Often, companies will request data that isn’t crucial to the service they’re providing, such as your location, browsing history, or even personal identifiers like your birthdate. It’s important to recognize that you are not obligated to provide this information. Whenever you’re asked for such details, take a moment to consider whether it’s necessary for the transaction or service. If it’s not, don’t hesitate to refuse. Many platforms now offer the option to opt out of data collection that isn’t directly tied to the functionality of their services. By actively choosing to withhold non-essential information, you take back control over your personal data and reduce the amount of information that businesses can collect and store.

Clear Out the Cookies on Your Device

Cookies are small files that websites store on your device to track your online activity. While some cookies are necessary for websites to function properly, many are used to collect data for advertising and analytics purposes. Over time, these cookies can accumulate a significant amount of information about your browsing habits. Clearing out cookies regularly can help prevent businesses from gathering too much data about you. Most web browsers allow you to delete cookies manually or set them to clear automatically after each session. Additionally, you can adjust your browser settings to block third-party cookies, which are often used by advertisers to track you across multiple sites. For mobile devices, you can easily research how to delete cookies on iPhone or Android online. By managing your cookies effectively, you can significantly reduce the amount of data that companies collect about your online behavior.

Do a Data Discovery

Understanding what data businesses already have on you is a critical step in taking control of your personal information. This process, known as data discovery, involves requesting access to the data that companies have collected about you. Under various privacy laws, businesses are required to provide you with a copy of your data upon request. Once you know what information they have, you can decide whether you want to request its deletion or limit further data collection. Many companies have streamlined this process, allowing you to submit data requests through their websites. Conducting a data discovery not only empowers you to manage your information but also makes you more aware of how your data is being used.

Stop Giving Your Apps Permission to Use Your Microphone

Many apps request access to your microphone, often for reasons that are not entirely clear or necessary. Allowing apps to use your microphone can open the door to invasive data collection practices, as some apps may listen for keywords or other audio cues to gather information about you. To protect your privacy, it’s wise to deny microphone permissions unless absolutely necessary. On most devices, you can manage app permissions through the settings menu, where you can see which apps have access to your microphone and revoke permissions as needed. By restricting microphone access, you reduce the risk of unauthorized listening and the associated data collection.

Use a VPN for Added Privacy

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is an effective tool for enhancing your online privacy and reducing the amount of data that businesses can collect about you. When you use a VPN, your internet traffic is routed through an encrypted tunnel, masking your IP address and making it more difficult for companies to track your online activities. This added layer of anonymity can prevent websites and apps from collecting detailed data about your browsing habits, location, and other personal information. VPNs are particularly useful when you’re using public Wi-Fi or accessing websites that don’t have strong privacy protections in place. By using a VPN, you can significantly reduce the amount of data that businesses can gather about you.

There is no doubt that businesses are ramping up their efforts for more complete data collection, even as new data security and privacy regulations get put in place. More and more, the onus is on the consumer to protect what data they don’t want to share.