Data Privacy Week: Take control of your online privacy

Your online activity creates a detailed picture of your life. Protect your privacy by limiting what you share and managing your personal digital footprint. During Data Privacy Week, Information Technology Services recommends the following:

1. Be mindful of what you share.

To reduce the risk of identity theft, avoid posting personal details like your birthdate on social media. Consider making your profiles private on platforms like Instagram, and TikTok.

2. Understand the trade-off between convenience and privacy.

Apps often require data to function (e.g., maps need location), but you can choose what you share. Limit permissions to “only while using the app” whenever possible.

3. Shrink your digital footprint.

Resist creating accounts for one-time use. Use “Continue as Guest” when possible. If a website requires your email to access its content, use a temporary throwaway email address.

4. Search yourself online.

See what’s publicly available and remove unnecessary information. Have I Been PWNED lets you see if your email or phone number has been involved in a data disclosure incident and how to respond.

5. Use privacy tools.

Consider private browsers like DuckDuckGo or Brave, and data removal services such as Incogni or DeleteMe.

6. Manage cookies and ads.

If you don’t want targeted ads, clear cookies regularly and don’t accept new ones. Or opt out using YourAdChoices. Tools like uBlock Origin can block tracking scripts.

Learn more about protecting your privacy at defendyourdata.wvu.edu.