How To Protect Your Digital Privacy Rights

Companies say they want your personal information to provide better service. However, many companies share or sell your data without your knowledge of where the data goes or how it will be used. When you use apps, software, websites, or smart devices, you are giving these companies access to your information. You have to be proactive to limit what information gets shared online.

This article provides an overview of digital privacy protections and your right to privacy. For legal help with data privacy violations, talk to a civil rights attorney.

Understanding Digital Privacy Rights

Many of the websites, apps, and products you use every day collect personal information for marketing and other uses. Companies share or sell much of this personal data to other companies. The type of information that businesses and online services collect include:

• Shopping history
• News preferences
• Survey data
• Location information
• Healthcare information

Most consumers are not aware of what the companies collect, how they use it, and when they share it. Permissions hide in the small print, terms and conditions, or cookie permissions.

Limit Sharing or Selling Your Personal Info

To stop businesses and service providers from collecting, selling, and sharing your personal information, you need to limit permissions. Companies collect and sell your digital information because you give them permission. Even if you don’t tell them they can collect your information, you allow them to do so when you accept their terms and conditions.

When you first visit a website, a pop-up asks if you want to accept or modify settings. Most people just hit accept because it is faster. Once you accept, you are letting the company install cookies or files to track your online activity, location, search history, and other information.

Some basic steps you can take to limit sharing personal information include:

• Delete your browsing history and clear cookies
• Use private browsing options
• Don’t allow tracking permissions
• Turn off location-sharing
• Don’t allow personalized ads

Common Threats to Digital Privacy

There are business-related threats to your digital data privacy and criminal threats:

• Business threats. Includes selling your sensitive data, data breaches, and collecting data without your knowledge.
• Criminal threats. Includes phishing scams, identity theft, and installing spyware.

Hackers and scammers have many ways to try to access your personal information. These can involve elaborate scams to convince you that you are dealing with a legitimate business.

Phishing emails or text messages may try to get you to click on a link or provide financial information. The link could install malware on your computer that lets cybercriminals take control of your phone or computer.

Practical Steps to Safeguard Your Digital Information

One of the simplest ways to safeguard your online information is to downsize your digital footprint. Unfortunately, that isn’t a realistic option for many people because of their jobs or how they communicate with friends. You can still take steps to reduce the amount of information you share online.

• Use strong passwords and change them regularly
• Use antivirus software and keep it updated
• Don’t share your credit card or Social Security numbers online
• Don’t click on a link or respond to unsolicited social media or text messages
• Adjust your privacy settings on your browser, apps, and smart devices
• Use a virtual private network (VPN)
• Don’t use public Wi-Fi networks
• Secure your router with a unique password
• Limit the number of apps you download on your mobile device
• Use websites instead of apps to access social media sites
• Use web browsers with enhanced privacy settings
• Use messaging apps with strong privacy features

Legal Protections for Digital Privacy

Though several federal laws giving you digital privacy rights, federal lawmakers are often behind the technology. It can take years before federal laws catch up to loopholes and vulnerabilities in digital security. Some examples of federal privacy laws include:

• Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (1998)
• Electronic Communications Privacy Act (1986)
• Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act (1998)
• Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (1996)

Some companies follow stricter data privacy laws from other countries or at the state level, giving you additional privacy protections. For example, the European Union has some of the strongest data privacy laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

State Digital Privacy Laws

Many states have stronger digital privacy protections than under federal law. California has some of the strongest consumer protection laws in the country. The California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (CCPA) gives consumers:

• The right to know what personal data businesses collect
• The right to know how companies use and share sensitive information
• The right to opt out of sharing private information
• The right to delete personal details

State digital protection laws vary by state. Most of these state internet privacy laws only apply to state residents or businesses. Check with your state consumer protection agency to find out about your online privacy rights.

Resources for Digital Privacy Protection

There are several resources to help with digital privacy protection. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has consumer advice about steps you can take to limit sensitive data collection. This includes instructions for Apple, Android, and Microsoft browsers. Check with your state consumer rights agency for other digital privacy advice.

There are also private companies that will help you opt out of data collection, monitor identity theft, or remove your personal information online. The costs for these services vary. Research before signing up for one of these services to make sure they will do what they promise.

Find Legal Help for Privacy Rights Violations

If an online company violated your privacy rights, find out about your legal options. A digital privacy rights attorney can review your case and explain your legal rights. An attorney can help you clear up your online presence and get compensation for your losses. Contact a digital privacy civil rights attorney for more information.