It is a common misconception that using incognito mode or clearing browser history can keep our online activities private. However, these actions only remove the internet trail from a particular device, and do not conceal the activities from the Internet Service Provider (ISP). In fact, browsers automatically collect various pieces of information about a user, such as operating system, mouse movements, and active social media logins.

These realities highlight the fact that one should never assume their online activities to be private, even if they choose not to use social media. This has led people to caution against the idea that social media posts and other digital content can be deleted, and that they actually form a permanent record.

The concept of a digital footprint has been around for a while, but it is now being replaced by the idea of a digital tattoo. The analogy of a body tattoo is used to emphasize the permanence of online information. Even if someone believes they have deleted their online history, it could still exist in the form of screenshots saved by others or saved by the platform or app they used to post it. 

Deleting Your Digital Posts Do Not Guarantee Privacy

In today’s age of social media, it’s common for people to post impulsively and then regret their actions. They may have vented their frustration, anger or shared sensitive information in a moment of weakness. However, removing the post does not necessarily mean the issue is resolved.

Unfortunately, it only takes a split second for someone to take a screenshot of the post before it is deleted.

What’s more, a concerning trend has emerged where archive websites are being used to spread misinformation and falsehoods. Researchers at Harvard found that during the COVID-19 pandemic, people used URLs generated by archive sites to circumvent content-screening measures on social media platforms. While internet archive sites are an important piece of cultural history, this example highlights how they can be intentionally misused by individuals.

Various Service Providers Implement Distinct Rules for Data Storage

As data breaches become more prevalent and people become increasingly aware of the potential consequences, the public’s concerns about how companies handle their data are on the rise. Activists have taken note of this and are looking to broaden their outreach efforts to include not just data privacy, but also social and environmental causes in their campaigns.

Holding companies accountable for their actions when it comes to data protection and other ethical considerations is something that the public wants, but it’s not always easy to achieve in practice.

How Do Companies’ Handle Customer Data?

Removing content from social media or cloud storage doesn’t necessarily erase it immediately, as companies have varying policies for managing customer data.

For instance, Snapchat automatically deletes all snaps from its servers once the intended recipient has viewed them. Unopened snaps, on the other hand, get deleted after 30 days. Apple stores iCloud data for active accounts and claims to delete it as soon as it gets cleared from their servers. However, Apple hasn’t provided clarity on when that deletion happens, leaving customers with uncertainty.

Facebook’s data deletion policies are even more complex. During a Senate hearing, Mark Zuckerberg acknowledged that he couldn’t give a definite timeline for data deletion if a user stops using the site, due to the complexities involved in the company’s systems. In an effort to give users more control over their data, Facebook offers a deletion request feature. However, the deletion process is not immediate, and Facebook delays these requests for a few days. The reasoning behind this is to provide users with a grace period in case they change their minds and decide to keep using the platform. Even after a user’s data is deleted, some of it might remain on Facebook’s servers. However, this residual data is stripped of any personal identifiers that could link it back to the user.

The Impact of Deactivating or Deleting Facebook on Your Online Privacy

Disabling vs. Deleting User Accounts or Information

It’s a common practice for many individuals to disable their social media accounts instead of completely deleting them. This is especially true for those who want to take breaks from social media but are not quite ready to say goodbye to their online presence. For instance, popular platforms like Facebook and Instagram offer options for users to hide all of their account information but still have the ability to restore it in the future. However, if a user decides to delete their account later on, they will only find the option to do so by logging in through a computer-based browser, as the app itself does not display this option.

Various state- and region-based privacy laws provide individuals with the right to request the deletion of their data from companies that hold it. But the situation can become complicated because some privacy policies require users to grant services access to their phone contacts. This can lead to instances where users who have never directly used an app end up having their data stored on a server due to a friend or acquaintance having added them as a contact.

A recent incident showed that deleting data from the internet is not always easy. Someone asked Houseparty, a social app, to delete their data, even though they had never used the app before. It turns out that a friend who had their contact information used the app, so the user thought Houseparty might have their data too. However, Houseparty said they didn’t have the user’s data, although the app can access contact logs if the user allows it. This example demonstrates how complicated it can be to delete data from the internet, even with privacy laws in place.

Ways to Protect Your Privacy Online

You can protect your privacy in a number of ways.

1. Pause and think:

Before hitting that “Post” button on social media, it’s always a good idea to take a moment to reflect on the potential consequences of what you’re about to share. Sure, your immediate network may share similar views as you, but what about individuals with different backgrounds or opinions? Could they find your post offensive or hurtful? If there’s a chance that your post could be misunderstood or misinterpreted, it’s wise to reconsider whether or not to share it.

2. Reading through privacy policies:

When it comes to protecting your personal data online, taking the time to read through privacy policies is essential. By doing so, you can gain insight into a company’s data storage policies, how long they keep your information, and what steps you can take to request deletion under applicable privacy laws. While it may seem like a tedious task, a handy tool called Polisis can make the process much more manageable. This tool breaks down the specifics of privacy policies and even alerts you to any potential red flags that may indicate a company’s practices are not up to par.

3. Deactivate or delete shopping, social networking, and online service accounts:

Think about all the online platforms where you have created a digital profile. Besides the popular ones like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn, do you have any forgotten accounts on platforms such as Friendster, Orkut, or LiveJournal? Have you signed up for multiple shopping sites, including but not limited to, Amazon, Gap, and Macy’s?

To remove these accounts, navigate to the account settings and search for an option to delete, close, or deactivate the account. Depending on the website, you may find it under the Privacy, Security, or Account sections. In case you encounter difficulties while attempting to delete a specific account, try searching online for instructions on how to delete that particular account.

If for some reason, you are unable to delete a particular account, modify the information in the account to something other than your real details. You could use random or fake information in there to obscure your identity.

4. Shield yourself from data-mining websites that harvest your personal information:

Data brokers are entities that gather personal information about you and sell it to businesses for advertising purposes. Some examples of data brokers are Spokeo, Whitepages.com, and PeopleFinder, among others. They amass data from all your online activities and sell it to advertisers who want to target you more effectively with their ads.

Unfortunately, getting your name removed from these data broker sites requires individual action for each site, which can be a cumbersome process. In some cases, you might even need to send faxes or fill out physical paperwork, which is quite antiquated in this day and age.

However, if you do decide to remove your information from these data brokers, keep in mind that this action will also remove your name from Google search results. Therefore, it will become more challenging for people to locate you online.

5. Get rid of outdated search results:

Imagine you came across a webpage that displays information about you which you’d like to be removed, such as a previous employer’s staff page, long after you’ve left the job. You decide to take action by reaching out to the website’s administrator to update the page. However, even after the update, you realize that the page still appears in your search results when you Google your name. Strangely, your name doesn’t seem to appear anywhere on the page when you click on the link. This is because Google’s servers have cached the old version of the page.

This is where a useful tool comes in handy. By submitting the URL to Google, you can request that they update their servers and remove the cached search result that is associated with your name. However, there’s no guarantee that Google will remove the information, as there may be various reasons why they cannot do so.

Despite this uncertainty, it’s definitely worth trying to minimize your online presence and remove any personal information that you would prefer not to have publicly accessible on the internet. With a little persistence and effort, you may be able to successfully exorcise unwanted information from your online identity.

Perspective on Post Permanence and Privacy

In today’s digital age, it’s important to be mindful of what we post online because it can stay there indefinitely. Even if we delete something, there’s no saying that it’s gone forever since others might have already saved or shared it.

For that reason, it’s necessary to think carefully before publishing anything on the internet. It’s always better to be on the side of caution than post something that could potentially harm you or others in the future.