It may not surprise anyone to hear that social media and tech companies can collect user data and use it for their purposes. Because we give them our data voluntarily. But many people don't know that almost all companies collect user data, whether you provide your personal information there or not.
Â
Most companies want to know your location, age, and which device you are using. They understand where you are going, and what location you are staying in, and based on your age they create profiles according to your behavior.
Â
Big companies, meanwhile, have taken steps to make your data less exposed to third-party advertisers. But it didn't always work. A few months ago, Apple introduced App Tracking Transparency (ATT), a policy that allows users to decide which apps can access their data. But the interesting thing is that after applying this policy, Apple itself has collected users' huge data. Apple started keeping logs of things like,
Â
Keeps records of users' Apple ID details
Contacts, photos, and emails are stored in iCloud
The app keeps records of usage information
Keeps item purchase and browsing history records from the App Store, iTunes, and Android apps.
Apple stores, store and cloud transaction record
Keeps records of marketing communications, preferences, and other activities
You can see what data Apple has stored on you so far and download a copy. To do this, first, go to Apple Account and scroll down to data.
Â
* Google tracking
Â
As many of us know, Google is popular for search, but it is also famous for collecting user data. If you have an account on Google, it knows more about you than your closest friends. If you have Google's smart assistant at home, it will know all the news about your home like where you are staying, going, what you are buying, when is your birthday, and when is there any event.
Â
The only way to stop Google tracking is to stop using any of its services. But it's almost impossible, you might have to use Gmail for email, and Google Maps for navigation. To find out how much Google knows about you, first sign in to your Google account and sign in to the My Activity page.
Â
From here you can know what Google has saved about you, if you want you can delete search history, location tracking, YouTube history, personalized advertising, etc. If you have location tracking enabled, Google will also know where you took a photo from.
Â
* Data repository, Facebook
Â
Social media users have the most details. And this is why hackers hack Facebook and Twitter and get information like credit cards. Moreover, we give all information on social media of our own free will.
Â
When we create an account on Facebook, we give our name, age, where we live, what we do, our friends, political parties, and interests. If you want to know what information you have saved, you can download your copy here. To do this, you first need to log in to Facebook from your desktop. At the bottom of the account on the right, click Settings
Â
* Microsoft knows more than you think
Â
If you use Microsoft products, you must open an account there. And from here data collection starts. Companies around the world use Office 365, so Microsoft knows who you are and where you work. If you have an account on Xbox Live or Game Pass, they know where you live and what games you like, and how often you buy them.
Â
You can also find out in Microsoft's case what information they know about you. You can view your browsing and location data from Microsoft's dashboard. Moreover, from here you can see the privacy settings of Xbox, Windows, Microsoft Teams, and Skype.
Â
Companies like Apple, Google, and Facebook have your profile. They use your information for advertising and other purposes. Now you may know what information they have on you.
You must be logged in to post a comment.