The Basics of Digital Privacy:

How do apps and websites collect your information?

• Cookies (which retain your information after you close the website)

• Device fingerprinting (which uses your browser’s configurations/settings to monitor you)

• Unique Advertising Identifiers (advertisers on apps use your data to personalize marketing)

For what purposes do they collect your information?

• Save your information and history

• On the website (e.g., the items in your shopping cart)

• On the browser (e.g., search history)

• Target you with information and advertisements that are relevant to you

• Analytics (e.g., how long you spent on a website)

• Show you personalized ads based on your browsing history or your location

What is the difference between first-party and third-party data usage?

First-party tracking: the site/app you are using collects and uses your data.

Third-party tracking: the site/app you are using gives your information to other companies

What can you do to improve your digital privacy?

• Regularly delete:

  • Cookies

  • Browser history

  • Search history

• Review your privacy settings and websites' cookie notices, and adjust them as necessary.

  • If possible, prevent sites from seeing your history

  • Don't share your location

  • Use a private browsing mode (like the "Guest" option on Google) that don't save history and cookies

  • Opt out of personalized ads

• Use an ad blocker

Source: US Federal Trade Commission