Caitlin Sarian walks through five steps to shrink your online footprint: delete unused apps and old accounts, tighten privacy settings, use services like Incogni to remove yourself from data brokers, and use a VPN to limit tracking.
Your personal data is everywhere, but here are five ways that you can start taking it back. Delete old apps Unused apps on your phone can still collect your data. Removing them and limiting app permissions can close off potential data leaks. Tip 2 Delete old accounts Many of us have dozens, if not hundreds of accounts we've forgotten about. Deleting these accounts helps prevent your information from sitting out there unnecessarily. Also, before you delete these accounts, make sure you request for them to delete your information, because a lot of times many companies still have that information on you. Tip 3 Make your social media accounts private. Adjusting your settings can prevent your personal information from being accessed by people you don't know. Remove your info from data brokers. These companies collect and sell your data, but you can send requests to have it removed. Use a tool like Incogni that scans people's search sites for your personal information and sends removal requests on your behalf. Tip five Take preventative measures. Use a VPN to keep your browsing private and adjust settings on your phone to limit data collection. Drop a follow below if you want more tips on keeping your data safe.
White House scraps a rule to block data brokers from selling your personal data
