Technology and privacy: What you need to know about your personal data

Modern life is interconnected with the digital world. From the moment we check our phones in the morning to browsing the internet or using mobile apps in the evening, we leave behind digital footprints. Every like, search, booking, or online purchase is recorded. This information is collected, stored, and used in several ways.

Many people feel concerned about how this data is ultimately used. The truth is that there is no need to panic. Understanding how data works and applying simple practices can give us control, security, and protection.

How our data is collected

The data we generate daily can be divided into two main categories:

Direct data: Information we provide consciously, such as personal details when signing up for an app, likes and comments on social media, or filling in personal information on online shopping forms.

Indirect data: Information collected automatically, such as our location through GPS, the websites we visit, the time we spend on apps, or our ad preferences.

To make this easier to understand, let us provide few examples: Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok track what we view, which videos we watch through the end, on what kind of posts we leave comments, and how long we stay on a page. On the other hand, many mobile apps request access to our camera, microphone, or contacts. Even when we do not actively use these apps, the access we have given them can still allow them to collect data. When it comes to browsing, almost every website uses cookies or trackers that monitor our habits for advertising purposes.

How our data is used

Data collection serves multiple purposes, some necessary for the proper functioning of services (e.g., personalized content or storing preferences), while others are used for commercial or advertising purposes:

• Personalized advertising: Companies create profiles to recommend products or services that match consumer preferences. For example, after searching for sports equipment online, we may start seeing ads for similar products.
• Behavior analysis: Platforms use data to improve services or products. By analyzing how much time we spend on posts, our clicks, or likes, they adjust content according to what they believe is engaging for users.
• Audience profiling and predictive analytics: Based on our habits, companies can anticipate our needs or identify behavioral trends.

While these processes are usually neutral or even useful, lack of understanding about how they work can create concern among users.

Practical steps to protect your privacy

Protecting privacy and personal data does not require technical expertise or stress. Simple daily habits can significantly reduce risk:

Privacy settings and access restrictions: Regularly review the privacy settings on social media and limit access to your location, camera, microphone, and contacts only for necessary apps (e.g., location for maps, contacts for messaging apps like Viber). Avoid sharing excessive personal information online (for example, never post your home address or phone number on your Facebook profile).

Strong passwords and authentication: Use unique, complex passwords for each account. Enable the two-key factor authentication (2FA) where possible and change your passwords every 3–6 months.

Encrypted messaging apps: Apps like Viber or WhatsApp offer end-to-end encryption, protecting your messages from third parties.

The constant worry about who is tracking our data can lead to digital anxiety, which is unnecessary. By understanding how data is collected and for what purpose, along with properly managing the settings and permissions we give, we can stay secure while still enjoying the benefits of the digital age.