When you use the internet for everything from work and school to shopping and socializing, you may not realize how much data about you you're leaving behind. And you may not even know who has access to this data. So to better understand where your data can be found online and what you can do if you want to take steps to protect that data, keep reading.
There are many companies and apps that probably have some amount of data on you. For example, if you downloaded an app that asks for your location, they have that data about you. And if you use social media platforms like Facebook, you might want to go to settings and take a look at the permissions the platform has to track and use your data. Additionally, if you have created accounts with online stores, they may also have data about you, including your shopping preferences and habits.
When it comes to who has access to data about you, it's important to look beyond the websites and apps you knowingly interact with. You can start to get a better idea of where your personal information is online by simply doing a quick search of your full name on any search engine you prefer. What you may realize is that a lot of people searching websites have your contact information and allow almost anyone to run a background check on you.
What is a people search site? Well, the intentions are good because these databases make it easier to find someone you are looking for. Let's say you've lost touch with one of your good friends from school, for example. By going to a people finder site, you might be able to submit their name and get enough contact information to reconnect with them. At the same time, however, if you're concerned about your privacy or worried about your personal information falling into the wrong hands, you'll probably want your data removed from these types of sites. Luckily, sites like Radaris give you the option to do this by heading to the Radaris Deactivation page.
Another popular people search site that might be hosting information about you is FastPeopleSearch, but again you can regain control by heading to the Deactivate FastPeopleSearch page.
In addition to tackling people search websites as discussed above (for example, by going to the SearchPeopleFree opt-out page), you can also prevent, or at least limit, access to your data from several other ways.
You can start by checking your privacy settings on any account you open, including your social media accounts. Limiting third-party access to your data is a smart way to start regaining control. But, in addition to checking settings on websites and social media platforms, remember to do the same with each of the apps you have downloaded. Be sure to choose settings that keep your data as private and secure as possible.
Conclusion:You can limit the amount of data companies can access, but you need to take steps to do so!
