Digital tracks

Our digital traces 

When you are online, nothing is really private. All you have to do is visit a website or use your smartphone and information about you is being collected - information such as:

• songs or plug-ins you've downloaded 
• the technical configurations of your computer or phone 
• addresses of previous sites you've visited 
• your email address
• your location on your phone
• ...

Whether you're playing games on the Internet or using apps on your smartphone, it's easy to forget that others are collecting your personal information. Remember this every time you

• create a new social media account to connect with others, 
• shop online, 
• take an online personality test or I.Q. quiz, 
• completes an online marketing survey that promises points for participation, 
• registers to download programs, games or plug-ins, 
• visits a mall with your phone's Bluetooth or location settings enabled, 
• uses an app on your phone
• ...

Outdoors: Even when just walking around the street or inside a building, information about you may be collected:

• you drive your car into a parking lot
• you park in a shop-and-go parking lot
• you drive your car and pass a lane check
• you work somewhere and can only open a door with an access card
• you make a payment in a store
• you use your phone's GPS
• you use your phone
• you use your mobile Internet connection
• ...

Also inside the housedata about you and your family can be collected: 

• your smartphone with voice recognition is next to your bed
• you use a bluetooth device
• you watch a TV broadcast via a digicorder
• you use the Internet via your WiFi
• you use your smartphone to make calls or send text messages
• you have a smart home assistant
• you consume electricity or gas and you have a digital meter
• you use a home automation system
• ...