#dataprivacy

"👀Credit to @whatscrackingamerica Online discussions are raising concerns after reports resurfaced that Lifetouch, a major school photography company serving millions of students across the U.S. and Canada, is owned by Apollo Global Management, a firm co-founded by billionaire Leon Black, who faced scrutiny over past financial ties to Jeffrey Epstein and stepped down as CEO in 2021.

Critics say the situation highlights fears about data privacy, as school photography companies often retain student images and personal information – even when families do not purchase photos.

The Invisible Identity You Leave Online

“What if every click you made, every post you shared, and every search you typed became a permanent part of your identity? In the digital world, nothing truly disappears. Your digital footprint follows you everywhere.”

Each and every click, like, search, share, or comment that you perform creates an impression. No matter how much you may think that there is nobody watching you, the internet stores much more than what you might think. Every reel that you browse through during the midnight hours and every website that you visit during the daytime forms a part of your life that goes unnoticed. This unseen profile is called your digital footprint, and it plays an important role in today’s world.

Digital footprints, also called digital shadows or electronic footprints, refer to the trail of information that you leave behind while using the internet. Digital footprints include many things such as the information you submit online, the websites you visit, emails you send, posts on social media, and online shopping activities.

A digital footprint is often used to track a person’s online activities as well as the devices they use. An internet user can create their digital footprint either actively or passively.

Active digital footprints are created when users knowingly share information about themselves. These are created through posting or participating on social networking sites or online forums. If a user is logged into a website through a registered username or profile, any posts they make form part of their active digital footprint.

On the other hand, passive digital footprints are created when information about the user is collected without them being aware that it is happening. This is done in various ways, such as websites collecting information about how many times users visit, where they come from, and their IP address. This is a hidden process that users may not realize is taking place. Other examples of passive footprints include social networking sites and advertisers using your likes, shares, and comments to profile you and target you with specific content.

Digital footprints matter because they are relatively permanent. Once data is public, or even semi-public (as may be the case with Facebook posts), the owner has little control over how others will use it. A digital footprint has the power to determine a person’s digital reputation, which is now considered as important as their offline reputation.

Words and photos that you post online can be misinterpreted or altered, causing unintentional offense. Cybercriminals can exploit your digital footprint and use it for purposes such as phishing for account access or creating false identities based on your data.

For these reasons, it is worth considering what your digital footprint says about you. Many people try to manage their digital footprint by being cautious about their online activities in order to control the data that can be gathered in the first place.

Digital footprints are a huge part of everyday life today. Students, professionals, influencers, businesses, and even children are building digital footprints every day. Even merely searching for a product online can affect the ads you see on Instagram, YouTube, or Google later. Companies often gather user data to learn how consumers behave and enhance their marketing tactics. Whilst this can make online experiences more personalised, it also raises serious concerns around privacy and data security.

The digital footprint of an individual might also influence their future prospects. Companies and institutions usually conduct background checks on candidates through online searches. Content posted years ago, such as offensive messages, inappropriate pictures, and controversial viewpoints, might come back to haunt a person. Many individuals have lost jobs and internship opportunities, as well as their reputation, owing to content they had assumed would eventually be forgotten.

On the other hand, digital footprints are not necessarily negative in nature. A good digital footprint may actually help individuals develop their personal brands and professional identities. For instance, posting accomplishments, artistic works, academic materials, and professional stories on digital platforms can result in building an excellent and positive reputation for oneself. The use of LinkedIn accounts, portfolios, blogging, and appropriate social media usage can do wonders for students and professionals.

Nevertheless, controlling one’s digital footprint is something that requires knowledge and a sense of responsibility. For instance, many people sign up on websites and install applications without even bothering to read the terms and conditions, thus unintentionally allowing those programs to use their private data, which includes location, contacts, browsing history, and personal preferences. Apps and websites that provide services free of charge tend to collect user data.

The following are some of the measures that an individual can take to safeguard his/her digital footprint. The first one entails being cautious about what one posts on the internet. Individuals need to refrain from posting personal information such as passwords, phone numbers, addresses, and bank account details on the internet. Other tips include the use of two-factor authentication and deleting browser cookies.

Another effective technique is to periodically search for yourself on the internet in order to find out what kind of information is accessible about you. This will help individuals become more conscious about their online identity and do something about it if needed. It also helps if individuals restrict access permissions and avoid clicking on dubious links or websites.

The problem with modern times is the fact that technology changes quicker than people understand the importance of privacy and security in cyberspace. The majority of people, particularly younger generations, spend hours on the internet daily without realizing how much personal information is collected during their activity. Social networking sites, video games, commercial websites, and mobile applications collect user data all the time in order to increase their profitability and attractiveness. In this regard, people get included in large databases without even knowing it.

It is thus very crucial to be digitally literate and aware in today’s society. Schools, universities, and parents need to teach individuals how to use the internet responsibly and the significance of safeguarding their personal data online. It is through knowing terms such as cyber safety, privacy settings, online scams, and digital footprints that individuals will be able to make better choices while using the internet.

In the end, the internet can be a very useful tool if we know how to use it correctly. We are all responsible for ourselves and what we do on the internet. Our digital footprint can represent our creativity, intelligence, and professionalism, but it can also bring trouble if we are not careful enough. Since our digital footprint becomes an inseparable part of us, we have no choice but to manage it carefully.

Britain’s MPs are demanding tech giants do more to stop a wave of mobile thefts, after police revealed over 117,000 phones were stolen in 2024 — most ending up overseas.

Source: The Register

Scans of the world from Pokemon Go and Ingress are the backbone of Niantic’s AI model, which aims to navigate the world like ChatGPT spits out text.

In recent weeks, a growing network of data‐sharing initiatives has quietly knit together disparate government systems into what increasingly looks like a unified surveillance apparatus.

At the center of this push is Palantir Technologies—Peter Thiel’s data‐analysis firm—which has racked up more than $113 million in federal spending since 2017 and just won a new $795 million Department of Defense contract to expand its “Foundry” platform across the U.S. government.

From Executive Order to “Master Database”

What’s the first thing you do when a pop-up asks, “Do you accept cookies?”—immediately click “Accept” or hesitate as if pondering the secrets of the universe?

If you’re Gen Z, the answer might surprise you. While they’re often labelled as the oversharing Snapchat generation, they’re also becoming the poster children for digital privacy warriors. Want to know how? Stick around. By the end of this blog, you’ll not only uncover Gen Z’s surprising strategies for safeguarding their data but also pick up a few tips to reclaim control of your own.

The Paradox of Gen Z: Masters of Oversharing, Yet Privacy-Conscious

On the surface, Gen Z seems like the generation that lives for Instagram reels, TikTok challenges, and viral tweets. But underneath the filters and hashtags lies a surprising truth: they care—deeply—about their digital footprints. They may post a dance video on TikTok but won’t hesitate to use pseudonyms on Facebook or create private Instagram accounts (finstas) to keep their personal lives personal.

How Did Gen Z Get So Privacy-Savvy?

Growing Up With Data Breaches

From hearing about massive breaches (remember the infamous Cambridge Analytica scandal?) to watching documentaries like The Social Dilemma, Gen Z grew up knowing that even their memes could fuel someone’s data-mining empire. Lesson learned? Share strategically.

Cybersecurity 101 Is Their Second Nature

For this generation, two-factor authentication isn’t optional—it’s a lifestyle. “123456” as a password? Please, that’s so 2010. Gen Z knows their passwords should look like they smashed their keyboard in frustration.

Tech Education in Schools

Unlike older generations, who stumbled their way through the internet’s dark corners, Gen Z often received digital literacy education. They know the difference between a phishing scam and an actual email from their bank. (Pro tip: If it starts with “Dear Customer,” run.)

Privacy Tips We Can All Steal (Ethically, of Course)

Gen Z is showing us the way, and here are some of their best practices:

Think Before You Link

Clicking on that shady “You’ve Won a Free iPhone!” ad is the digital equivalent of walking into a trap. Gen Z gets it—they avoid suspicious links like the plague.

Limit Permissions

Why should a weather app need access to your contacts? Gen Z regularly audits app permissions, keeping unnecessary snoopers at bay.

Use Burners for Fun

They know that creating a “throwaway” email address for subscriptions keeps spam out of their primary inbox.

The Ironic Humor of Gen Z’s Privacy Stance

Isn’t it ironic that the generation branded as addicted to screens is leading the charge for digital privacy? They’ll meme about data breaches but won’t let companies snoop on their Spotify playlists.

Conclusion: A Balancing Act

Gen Z proves you can live your best digital life and protect your data. Whether it’s using VPNs, switching to encrypted messaging apps, or simply saying no to invasive permissions, they’re rewriting the rules for online privacy.

The takeaway? Protecting your data doesn’t mean going off the grid; it means being intentional with your digital choices.

Do you think Gen Z has cracked the code on balancing online presence and privacy, or are they just lucky digital natives? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!