Privacy Practices

Keep Your Data Private

Data privacy might seem like an abstract concept, but it couldn't be more personal. Your data is worth a lot of money to many different people, businesses and organizations. but we often don't value our own data story as much as they do. To become a "data snob" and value your data as much as big tech companies do, remember the Silicon Valley adage: if you're not paying for it, you're the product. The global data analytics market was estimated to be worth over $270 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $650 billion by the end of the decade. You and your data makeup a slice of this multibillion-dollar bonanza

Tips!

• Know what you can't control - It is impossible to control who has access to all of your data. Understand that there is a tradeoff between convenience and privacy. However, it is important to understand that convenience and privacy come at a cost; you may need to share more data in order to fully utilize the features of devices, apps, and software. Therefore, be aware of this balance in order to make better decisions concerning your data. By understanding this balance, you can make more informed data decisions.
• Cultivate a data privacy habit - Develop a habit of being mindful of data privacy. Fortunately, many web browsers, computers, and devices will ask you if you want to share certain types of data with a new app or website. When signing up for websites, apps, or software, be aware of the type of data requested and think about what you are willing to share. Commonly asked for data includes location, contacts, photos, camera access, and usage behavior. Whenever possible, opt for limiting access to data only when using the app. If an app is not functioning without sharing more data than necessary, search for an alternative. It is recommended to err on the side of caution and limit how much data is shared.
• Check your settings - Check your device's settings regularly to ensure that all app and software permissions are set according to your comfort level. Default settings to usually turn off include camera, microphone, location, and contact syncing. You can access app and software permissions through your device's general settings. Disallow access to permissions unless they are necessary for the app to function properly and you trust the app. Remember, apps will often ask for you to give them always access to permissions, but you usually only need to give them permissions for while you are using the app.
  • Camera - off
  • Microphone - off
  • Location - off
  • Sync contacts - off
• Delete apps you don't use - Periodically conduct an "app audit" to evaluate the apps installed on your devices. Consider whether you have used each app recently or if it is collecting and sharing data without you knowing. Many apps will collect and share your device-use data even when you don't use them; you're basically giving away your data. If it has not been used for a few months, delete it to ensure that it does not access any of your data. Remember, you can always reinstall the app if needed.