Online Privacy Settings Can Help You Control What Remains Visible to Others

Every social media post, online account, and search history adds to your digital footprint. However, online privacy settings can help you control what remains visible about you. 

A 2023 study found that 72% of Americans want stricter data privacy regulations. Yet many still rely on default settings that leave them vulnerable to tracking, scams, and identity theft. 

Let’s break down how to secure your online presence, manage online privacy settings, and limit what others can see.

How Personal Data Is Collected and Shared

A 2023 Pew Research study found that 76% of Americans fear social media companies selling their data without consent. This concern exists because major platforms often face legal consequences for sharing user information with third parties. 

In fact, in 2024, a massive database leak exposed two-factor authentication codes from Google, Facebook, and WhatsApp. 

Let’s look at how your data gets collected and shared on:

• Social Media: These platforms track everything you post, comment, like, and even interact on. Even deleted content can remain stored in databases.
• Browsing Platforms: Websites use cookies and trackers to monitor your visits, clicks, and time you spend on pages. This data helps advertisers target users with personalized ads.
• Search Engines: Google and Bing log search history, location, and device details, even when you are not signed in.
• Third-Party Data Brokers: Companies collect information from public records, social media, and online purchases to sell it to advertisers, recruiters, and background check services.

Common Privacy Concerns

A single piece of exposed data can be exploited in multiple ways and create multiple following risks:

• Identity Theft: Hackers use leaked information to access financial accounts, open credit lines, or carry out fraud.
• Online Tracking: Companies track your online behavior to build detailed user profiles based on your browsing history, purchases, and interests.
• Cyberstalking: Publicly available personal details make it easy for strangers to track your locations, contact information, and daily routine.

Limits of DIY Privacy Controls

Even strict privacy settings can’t stop companies from storing and selling your data in ways you can’t control. 

Here’s why managing it alone can be challenging:

• Hidden Privacy Controls: Many privacy settings are hidden under complex settings which makes them difficult to find and adjust.
• Frequent Policy Changes: Companies update privacy policies frequently, often without clear notifications to users.
• Data Still Collected: Even after adjusting privacy settings, your data may still be stored on third-party servers or sold to data brokers.

How to Adjust Your Online Privacy Settings

Most platforms set profiles to the public by default, making your personal details easy to find. However, taking control of your online privacy settings can help you limit who sees your information and how much companies can track. 

Start with these adjustments:

• Review Default Settings: Go into your account’s privacy settings and switch anything set to “public” to “private” or “friends only.”
• Customize Displayed Information: Check what personal details are visible on your profile. Hide your phone number, email, and birthdate to keep them out of the wrong hands.
• Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Even if someone steals your password, 2FA stops them from getting into your account. Turn it on wherever possible.
• Run Privacy Checkups: Some platforms, like Facebook and Google, offer privacy checkup tools. Use them to see what data is being shared and lock down your settings.

Key Privacy Settings by Platform

Different platforms collect and share data in various ways. Here are some key areas to focus on:

Social Media Platforms

• Facebook & Instagram: Restrict profile visibility, limit who can see your posts, disable ad tracking, and review app permissions to remove unnecessary third-party access.
• Twitter/X: Protect tweets, disable location tracking, and turn off data sharing with advertisers.
• LinkedIn: Hide your connections, keep your activity private, and opt out of data-sharing agreements.
• Snapchat: Enable ghost mode to keep your location private and limit who can contact you.

Browning Platforms

• Google: Disable location tracking, stop search personalization, and delete old data from your account settings.
• Microsoft: Turn off Windows tracking features that collect data from Cortana, ads, and diagnostic reports.

Apple Devices

• iPhone & macOS: Go into your settings to disable app tracking, limit Siri data collection, and turn off personalized ads.

Other Platforms

• Amazon: Delete Alexa voice recordings and adjust ad settings to stop targeted advertising.
• Cloud Storage & Third-Party Apps: Set stricter file-sharing permissions and limit app access to your data.

Controlling What Others See About You Online

Your personal information is more accessible than you think. Taking control starts with knowing what’s already out there.

Check What’s Already Public

To find out what information is available online about you:

• Google Yourself: Search your name in quotes for exact matches and hidden profiles. Check images, news, and people search results.
• Use Reverse Search Tools: Find where your photos or personal details appear by using reverse image, phone number, and username search tools.

Curious about what’s out there about you? Run a reverse search to find out:

Reduce Your Online Visibility

Once you identify what’s public, practice these data privacy steps to remove or limit access:

• Remove Personal Info from Search Results: Request content removal from Google and ask website owners to delete sensitive information.
• Opt-Out of People-Search Databases: Sites like Whitepages, Spokeo, and BeenVerified collect and sell your data. Most have opt-out forms, but the process varies by site.
• Use Privacy-Focused Tools: VPNs hide your IP address, encrypted messaging apps keep conversations private, and private browsers prevent tracking.

Privacy Settings for Maximum Security

Companies collect data through apps, websites, and even your devices. That’s why strengthening your security requires blocking unauthorized tracking, securing accounts, and preventing impersonation.

Prevent Unauthorized Tracking

Your online activity is used for targeted ads, profiling, and even sold to third parties. Here’s how to limit it:

• Disable Location Tracking: Turn off location services in phone settings and restrict app permissions to prevent tracking.
• Block Third-Party Cookies: Disable cookies in browser settings or use extensions that block trackers.
• Use Browser-Based Privacy Tools: Prefer browsers like Brave, Firefox, and DuckDuckGo as they offer built-in tracking protection. However, if you’re a Chrome user, you can install extensions like Privacy Badger.

Strengthen Your Digital Security

Hackers target weak passwords and unsecured accounts. Secure your profile with these steps:

• Use Strong Passwords and a Password Manager: Create unique and complex passwords to reduce the risk of hacking. You can use password managers to store and generate secure logins.
• Enable Multi-Factor Authentication: MFA requires an extra verification step, like a code sent to your phone which makes unauthorized access much harder.
• Secure Cloud Storage and Email Accounts: Set up end-to-end encryption for emails and enable two-step verification for cloud services like Google Drive or iCloud.

Protect Yourself Against Impersonation and Scams

Scammers use stolen personal details to create fake profiles or commit fraud. Protect yourself by:

• Verifying Suspicious Online Connections: Be cautious when accepting friend requests or messages from unfamiliar accounts.
• Checking If Your Photos or Details Are Misused: Use reverse image search to find fake profiles or unauthorized use of your information.

Worried about what’s out there about you? Our search specialists can quickly uncover and help remove your exposed information, so you don’t have to spend hours digging through outdated databases.

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