Your leaked data might not have been released due to a breach this time. Recently, Facebook and search engine companies, that rhyme with smoogle, are being exposed for their self-serving data practices that are ultimately affecting users’ privacy exposure.
Not too long ago, emails between Mark Zuckerberg and another executive at Facebook were released by the British Parliament. These emails expose Mr. Zuckerberg’s plan to charge developers to access the data that the platform has collected on users, then plan to be repaid by purchasing advertising.
This seems unethical, right? To us, too. Really, there is no way around this if you choose to use social media platforms like Facebook and search engines like Google. It’s unrealistic to not use the internet at all or veto the use of these platforms, so all you can do is limit the amount of personal information you put out there. What this looks like is not allowing cookies when possible, pieces of data sent from a website to the user’s computer while the user is browsing the internet.
Next, if possible, use an incognito browser when using the platforms that are pseudo-threatening to sell your data. An incognito browser will dump any tracking cookies which are cookies that advertisers use to follow your virtual trail in their attempts to sell you stuff or collect information on your interests.
The most simple way to protect yourself is to limit the amount of information that you put out there. As a personal policy… If it’s not required, don’t include it. You can’t stop a company from selling your data, but you can stop yourself from sharing too much.
The bottom line is that there’s really no better time than the present to become a LibertyID member for identity theft restoration protection. LibertyID provides expert, full service, fully managed identity theft restoration to individuals, couples, extended families* and businesses. LibertyID has a 100% success rate in resolving all forms of identity fraud on behalf of our subscribers.
*Extended families – primary individual, their spouse/partner, both sets of parents (including those that have been deceased for up to a year), and all children under the age of 25