If you're not paying for a product, the saying goes, you are the product.
While the Internet offers immense benefits, it also poses risks—especially concerning data privacy. Websites and social media platforms collect user data, tracking online activity to sell to advertisers or, more recently, to train AI systems.
Here’s what you can do to minimize this tracking.
Basically, it is for market research.
Modern businesses rely on data for success, and websites, social media, and apps use it to understand preferences, analyze behavior, and gather user information. This data helps companies create a tailored experience, remembering your preferences, saved items, or location-based content.
Advertisers, of course, find this information valuable. It helps them fine-tune their campaigns to reach the right audiences effectively. When a website tracks you directly, it’s called first-party tracking. When third parties are allowed to track you across different sites, this is known as third-party tracking—which explains why you might see ads for products you browsed elsewhere.
With the rise of AI, these platforms are expanding their use of collected data. Recently, LinkedIn faced backlash for using user posts to train its AI—just one example of a growing trend that X, Facebook, and who knows how many others are jumping on.
To reduce tracking, consider the following steps:
Regularly delete your history and cookies to reduce ads based on past activity.
Choose to share only essential information for ads instead of personalized tracking.
Most browsers and devices offer privacy settings. Set these to limit data collection as much as possible, and disable unnecessary permissions.
At First Column IT, we’re here to help. Our cybersecurity tools and training can strengthen your business’ technology against threats targeting your data. Call us at (571) 470-5594 to learn more.
