Online Privacy: What it is & How to Protect It

In today’s online world, we all leave a trail of personal information about ourselves. When you use the internet, you may be unknowingly sharing your information with countless companies, advertisers, and even cybercriminals. Sometimes it can feel like you have no power over this, but you can take back control. In this blog post, we’ll teach you how to protect your online privacy.

What is Online Privacy?

Online privacy refers to your ability to control who has access to your personal information on the internet. You could also call this internet privacy or digital privacy.

Privacy on the internet is a major part of managing your online reputation. But, it’s also about security and maintaining your freedoms.

Every time you use the internet, you leave little traces of information about yourself. This could include financial information, search history, personal messages, and way more. Others may have more access to your data and information than you even know. 

Types of Digital Privacy

Data privacy

Data privacy refers to people’s right to control how organizations collect, share, and use their data, including personally identifiable information (PII).

Whenever you interact with a website or social media platform, you give them at least some of your data. However, these companies probably collect much more of your information than you think.

And, companies stand to make a lot of money by selling that data to third parties. Social media might be free to use, but it comes at the cost of your data privacy.

Communication privacy

Communication privacy refers to people’s right to have secure communications on digital platforms.

People should expect that their conversations will remain private and secured from unauthorized access. This includes all communications like email, text, instant messages, and video calls.

Many platforms now use end-to-end encryption, which makes it much harder for anyone to access the contents of a message. But, hackers could still access messages, and don’t assume every platform uses encryption.

Individual privacy

Individual privacy refers to people’s right to exist freely online and have control over the information they see. This includes:

• Freedom from unwanted intrusions like intrusive ads, pop-ups, spam emails, or malicious content like viruses and malware.
• The right to remain anonymous online.
• Freedom from the tracking of user behavior by companies and advertisers. Companies commonly collect personal data to then flood you with ads for products or services they think you will buy.

Why Does Online Privacy Matter?

Online privacy gives you control over your freedom, safety, and reputation.

Some people might not care if others can see their data and information, but they’re in the minority.

90% of internet users in the United States believe that online privacy is important (SurfShark). Meanwhile, only a little more than half actually know how their online data is used.

And that’s the problem right there.

Any company, government, hacker, or joe schmoe who accesses your information can absolutely misuse it. You likely aren’t aware this is happening most of the time, but it has several real-life consequences.

Top Online Privacy Issues & Risks

Some might say “Why should I care if I have nothing to hide?”. The truth is, privacy isn’t just for criminals trying to hide their activities. Everybody has information, conversations, etc that they want to keep private.

Here are some of the top online privacy issues and risks:

Cybercrime

Cybercriminals often target sensitive private information, like login credentials, credit card details, or social security numbers. This data often makes its way to the dark web. Examples of cybercrime include:

• Data breaches: Unauthorized access to personal or corporate data by hackers. This can lead to financial losses, identity theft, and reputational damage.
• Identity theft and financial fraud: Criminals use stolen information to make fraudulent transactions or open new accounts in someone’s name.
• Malware and viruses: Malicious software can infect devices, steal data, or lock systems for ransom.

Data breaches are not uncommon. The Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) reported 1 billion data breach victims in the second quarter of 2024, a 1,170% rise compared to the same time in 2023. 

Just recently, a massive data breach of National Public Data exposed nearly every American’s social security number. (And we’re guessing you’ve never even heard of National Public Data, a data broker site.)

Additionally, scammers using fake profiles to target influencer’s audiences is on the rise. Catfishers may also target dating app users for financial gain.

Harassment

Online harassment is a huge issue that can cause emotional, psychological, and even physical harm. Forms of online harassment include:

• Cyberbullying: Persistent abuse or trolling that can cause significant emotional distress, especially among vulnerable populations like teenagers.
• Doxxing: Someone publishes another person’s personal information, like address or phone number, with malicious intent.
• Stalking: Abusers can use online platforms to monitor, harass, or physically threaten others. This can escalate to more serious offline crimes.

Victims of harassment don’t just feel unsafe online, but also in their physical surroundings. Online threats can easily translate to real-world violence. Harassers can hide themselves behind fake identities, making it harder for victims to protect themselves or seek justice.

Tracking and profiling

Many companies track your online activity to build detailed profiles about your preferences. They do this with cookies, which are small text files stored on your device. Often, this happens without your explicit knowledge.

The goal of this is to serve your targeted advertisements and content. On one hand, this can help improve the user experience. However, to do that, these companies have to know more about you than you’re likely comfortable with.

Data harvesting

One of the biggest issues today is the large-scale harvesting of personal data on social media platforms. These companies collect data about users, including likes, interactions, social connections, and more. Some refer to this widespread use of data as surveillance capitalism.

Then, they sell that data to third-parties, often without the users’ full understanding or consent. The Facebook-Cambridge Analytica Scandal highlighted how organizations use data for political or financial gain.

Lack of informed consent

Most people don’t fully understand just how much data companies collect about them. Privacy policies are often complex, written in legal jargon, and are super long.

This makes it difficult for people to truly grasp what they are agreeing to. We’ve all agreed to a policy without reading it. Someone definitely benefits from that ignorance, and it isn’t you.

Surveillance

Besides companies, governments may engage in mass surveillance without the public’s knowledge. While companies do it for profit, governments can do it in the name of national security.

And yes, this happens in the United States. Earlier this year, CNN reported that the National Security Agency (NSA) buys Americans’ web browsing data from commercial data brokers without warrants.

Reputation damage

Any information about you online could have long-term consequences for your reputation. This is true whether you share something intentionally or it appears inadvertently. Once something is out there, it can be difficult – if not impossible – to erase it from the internet.

Reputation damage can occur from:

• Old social media posts that you’re not proud of resurfacing
• Leaked private data, like hacked emails or other sensitive information, which could lead to personal or professional embarrassment
• Defamation or damaging statements, which can spread quickly online

Internet and Data Privacy Laws

Before we dive into our online privacy protection tips, let’s go over some important internet privacy laws.

Around the world:

Many other countries rank ahead of the United States on data privacy laws. For example:

• Iceland currently has the strictest data privacy laws in the world. Any processing of electronic communication data is prohibited without informed consent from the user or legal authorization.
• European citizens also enjoy protection from the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) of 2018. This comprehensive law includes the “right to be forgotten”, meaning people have a legal right to delete their data.

United States:

Meanwhile, in the U.S., we don’t have any single law that protects digital privacy. Instead, it’s more of a patchwork of different state and federal laws. Here are some important laws and regulations to note:

• The Federal Trade Commission Act (FTC) of 1914 established the FTC and protects consumers against deception.
• The Privacy Act of 1974 protects federal government records pertaining to individuals.
• The Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) of 1986 addresses the interception of computer and other digital and electronic communications.
• The Computer Fraud & Abuse Act (CFAA) of 1986 prohibits unauthorized computer access, but does not define what “unauthorized access” means.
• The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) of 1998 outlines responsibilities websites have to protect children under 12.
• The Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act (CAN-SPAM Act) of 2003 establishes requirements for unsolicited commercial emails.
• The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 requires healthcare providers and insurance companies protect patient health information.
• The Financial Services Modernization Act (GLBA) of 1999 requires banks to disclose privacy policies and allow customers to opt out of third party information sharing.
• The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA) of 2003 includes provisions to prevent and mitigate identity theft.
• The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) of 2018 gives Californian consumers more control over their personal information. This law took inspiration from GDPR, which protects citizens of the European Union. Since 2018, at least 20 other states have passed similar laws.

You’ve probably noticed that many of these consumer and data protection laws are old.

Additionally, it can be confusing to know how these laws actually protect you. Only 3% of Americans say they understand how America’s online privacy laws actually work (DataProt). Since these are patchwork laws, many loopholes exist as well.

Thankfully, there is some hope for more comprehensive legislation with the American Privacy Rights Act of 2024. This proposed bill would create consistent federal laws, giving Americans more control over their privacy and personal data.

Is Internet Privacy Even Possible Anymore?

Yes, internet privacy is still possible, though it is difficult to achieve.

Currently, 6 in 10 Americans believe it is impossible to go through daily life without organizations collecting their data. Until we pass the American Privacy Rights Act, that belief is pretty accurate.

For now, the onus is unfortunately on you to protect yourself. Thankfully, we have some tips to help you do that.

How To Protect Your Online Privacy

Protecting your online privacy is essential in a world where others constantly collect, share, and sell your data. Here are 12 effective strategies to protect your privacy online:

1: Limit the information you share

Consider carefully before sharing any personal details online. This includes your social media posts, the information you give websites, and what you include in your public profiles. The less data you make available, the less information is out there to compromise your privacy.

• Be mindful of what you post on social media. Avoid sharing personal information, such as your location, full birthdate, or specific travel plans.
• Review your social media accounts and other profiles to remove any overly personal information you’ve previously shared. Read our guide to cleaning up your social media accounts.
• Follow our tips to delete yourself from the internet.

2: Remove your private information from websites

Removing your personal information from every website can be a lengthy process. Many online services and data brokers collect and display personal details, from email addresses to home addresses.

Use the following guides and resources to start:

• Opt-out of data broker sites, such as FastPeopleSearch and Whitepages.
• Remove your phone number from public databases like NumLookup.
• Read our guide on removing public records online to reduce your visibility on various platforms.
• Read our guide to remove your information from Reddit.
• Even if you delete something online, people could still find it on the Wayback Machine.
• Remove your court records directly from Trellis Law.

3: Control your search results

If people search for you, they may find your personal information in Google search results, or even harmful content. However, you can manage what they see.

• Submit a request to remove your information from Google Search if it includes sensitive or outdated personal information.
• Follow our guide to remove court cases from Google.
• Use this guide on suppressing negative search results to bury unwanted links.
• Learn how to uncover who is searching you online.

4: Remove your online images

Photos of you on the internet can expose you to a range of privacy risks. Whether they’re professional images, social media posts, or leaked photos, you have options to regain control.

• For removing home photos from real estate sites, check out our guide for Zillow and Redfin.
• Use this guide on removing images from Google, especially if they relate to personal or sensitive content.
• For adult content creators, learn how to protect yourself from OnlyFans leaks.
• For Snapchat users, follow our guide to removing leaked Snapchats.

5: Understand privacy policies

Privacy policies detail how companies collect, use, and share your information.

Many of us are guilty of skimming through these policies. 80% of Americans say they agree to a privacy policy at least monthly. However, only 22% say they fully read them. (Pew Research Center)

Yes, these policies are dense and complex, but it’s a good idea to review them so you understand what you’re agreeing to. They tell you:

• The types of data collected and how it will be used.
• Whether the organization shares data with third parties and under what conditions.

You should avoid services or websites that have vague or overly permissive policies.

6: Use internet privacy tools

There are several tools available to enhance your online privacy. Here are a few options:

• Virtual Private Networks (VPNs): Encrypt your internet traffic, hiding your online activity from ISPs and other entities.
• Privacy-Focused Browsers: Use browsers like Brave or Firefox that prioritize user privacy.
• Ad Blockers: Tools like uBlock Origin or Privacy Badger block trackers and intrusive ads that may collect your data.

7: Approach social media thoughtfully

Social media can be a major source of data collection. Follow these tips to make your social media presence more private:

• Use the privacy settings on each platform to control who can see your posts.
• Avoid oversharing. Limit the personal details you post and think twice before tagging your location.
• Manage your online presence by occasionally reviewing your past posts, likes, and shares.

8: Create strong passwords

65% of people use the same password for multiple accounts, which leaves your information at risk. (Yikes). Use these tips to protect your online accounts:

• Use unique, complex passwords.
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever possible.
• Use a password manager to generate and store strong passwords.
• Regularly update your passwords and avoid reusing them across multiple sites.

9: Surf the web safely

When browsing the internet, make sure to use secure and private connections. Take these steps to enhance your safety:

• Turn off tracking settings on your browser, and use HTTPS websites to protect your data.
• Avoid public Wi-Fi networks for any sensitive tasks, such as banking or shopping online.

10: Upgrade your technology

Eventually, your older technology will stop getting regular software updates. This means your outdated tech has some major security vulnerabilities. Remember to:

• Update your operating system, apps, and software regularly.
• Use devices with built-in privacy and security features where possible.
• If you’re using older devices, you may need to upgrade to a newer model.

11: Change your search engine

By far, Google is the world’s most-used search engine. We trust this company to give us information on demand for free, however, it comes at a cost to your privacy. You can actually download all the information they have compiled about you.

If you use any Google product, remember to delete your activity every so often. You may also consider switching to privacy-focused search engines like DuckDuckGo or Startpage.

12: Advocate for better online privacy laws

The best way to ensure widespread data protection is through comprehensive legislation. Support advocacy groups, contact lawmakers, and raise awareness about the importance of internet privacy. By advocating for better laws, you help create a safer digital environment for everyone.

Conclusion

Protecting your online privacy has never been more important. By taking proactive measures, you can shield your personal data and maintain your digital freedom.

However, we know protecting your privacy can feel overwhelming. The Reputation911 team can help you take back control over your online privacy and manage your reputation. Let us help you stay secure in today’s digital world.

About The Author

William DiAntonio

William DiAntonio is the Founder & CEO of Reputation911, a reputation management firm he founded in 2010 that has earned the trust of its clients for over a decade by helping individuals, businesses and brands control their online search results.