Why Internet Privacy Matters
The internet collects massive amounts of user data through everyday activity, including search history, location, and shopping habits. This data is used for personalization, targeted ads, and analytics. With most websites collecting data by default, online privacy has become a major concern.
What Kind of Data Is Collected?
- Personal details: name, email, birthdate, gender
- Location: from IP, GPS, Wi-Fi
- Browsing: visited pages, searches, time on site
- Device: OS, browser, model
- Purchase history: shopping activity, clicks
What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small files stored on your device to help websites remember your info and actions.
- Essential: needed for basic features (login, preferences)
- Functional: store preferences/settings
- Tracking: used for personalized ads and profiling
How Are We Tracked?
- Cookies: remember your actions
- Web beacons: track email/page opens
- Device fingerprinting: create unique ID using your device info
- App permissions: apps often ask for access to location, contacts, mic, etc.
What Happens With This Data?
- Targeted ads
- Personalized content
- Behavior influence (e.g., elections)
Example: Target sent baby product ads to a teen girl before her father knew she was pregnant — data predicted it.
How Can We Protect Privacy?
- VPN: hides your IP and encrypts traffic
- Private browsers, ad blockers, incognito mode: reduce tracking
Regulations
- GDPR (EU): consent, access, deletion, transparency
- CCPA (California): similar protections