Protect your privacy online

Last week my article revolved around the idea that your privacy is on sale (for free) on the information superhighway. I shared a real-world story as example from a victim/user who had, on an evening, searched for an item to buy using a mobile phone and then was surprised the next day to find offers from a number of suppliers with special promotions on the same. I shared the reasons behind the scenario and explained how data brokers sell our privacy. We unknowingly sell our data for free while they make millions if not billions of Omani rials out of our data. Unfortunately, there is not much one can do as that is the basis of attaining a better customised and personalised user experience per se. Let me focus today on sharing practical steps that you could follow in order to protect your privacy online.

The world is getting smaller, thanks to the connected world we are living in. You can communicate, see and almost experience (but not yet feel) everything around you via a smart mobile phone. The microphones, cameras, sensors and sheer volume of specialised apps work together to spy and alternatively provide you a personalised experience. Convenience is incomparable, yet our privacy remains at stake, from the corporations that store, has access and sell our data.

It has been reported that over 442 million people were impacted by data breaches worldwide. Pew research, an American think tank centre in Washington, reported that 79% of adults feel concerned about how companies use their data. Furthermore, the centre reported that most of the adults admit they do not take consistent action to protect their data as well. Clearly due to many not knowing the consequences, while others do not care due the benefits attained from the same (eg customisation, personalisation etc). While data privacy regulation exist today, GDPR in Europe and CCPA in California, yet these law do not really offer comprehensive protection for the companies continue to find ways to break the law (and/or push the boundaries) because attaining our personal data is too important for it is too profitable for their business engagements (and of course shareholders value).

There are a number of activities that one does that makes them lose their privacy. Two of the most common ways are the oversharing of personal data via social media, from birthdays, holiday, travel plans, family photos, etc. And secondly, the kind of permission people allow mobile applications to have ie access to camera, microphone and/or contacts. People share their data without realising the impact of the same.

The good is that one does not need to be a tech expert in order to protect their privacy. Simple yet consistent steps along with being vigilant is all that is required to protect ones privacy. First, ensure that your social media settings are intact (by tightening on what is shared and who can see/view). This can be done by reviewing who can see your posts, turn off location sharing unless it is necessary and think twice before sharing personal information as shared above. Furthermore, be very selective on the kind of apps that you are installing. Also, delete those you don’t use and specifically that require permissions from your device (as mentioned above). Protect your browsing with privacy-focused browsers or tracker-blocking extensions and consider a VPN when using public Wi-Fi. Last but not least, do a search online for your name and see what is being said and is available; and then look for tools to remove your information from data broker sites. I will try and dedicate an article in the future on some of these tools.

To conclude my article this week, let me emphasise that unless you take proactive steps to protect your privacy, it will always be tagged and available for sale. Every website visit or app use, click or views, word said and messages exchanged so as places visited, are stored and leveraged as data for data brokers to make money out of you. You need to take control on what data is shared in order to decide what kind of information you have no worry of it being used (ie not a privacy concern). Until we catch up again next week, continue guarding your data wisely to protect your future and freedom ultimately.