How to opt-out of data sharing on major websites and services

How to opt-out of data sharing on major websites and services.

How to Opt-Out of Data Sharing on Major Websites and Services

Navigating digital privacy is a critical skill for expats, especially when dealing with various online services that often default to extensive data collection and sharing. Understanding how to manage these settings is essential for securing your digital footprint and protecting your personal information. This guide provides technical, step-by-step instructions to opt out of data sharing on the most widely used platforms.

General Principles and Preparatory Steps

Before diving into specific services, understand these foundational concepts and tools:

  1. Understand "Data Sharing": This refers to companies collecting your online activities (browsing, purchases, location, interactions) and sharing them with third parties for advertising, analytics, or other purposes.
  2. Browser-Level Privacy:
    • Enable Do Not Track (DNT): While not universally honored, it's a polite request to websites.
      • Chrome: Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data > Send a "Do Not Track" request with your browsing traffic.
      • Firefox: Settings > Privacy & Security > Send websites a "Do Not Track" signal that you don't want to be tracked.
      • Edge: Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Tracking prevention > Send "Do Not Track" requests.
    • Block Third-Party Cookies: This significantly reduces cross-site tracking.
      • Chrome: Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data > Block third-party cookies.
      • Firefox: Settings > Privacy & Security > Enhanced Tracking Protection > Custom > select "Cookies" and choose "All third-party cookies."
      • Edge: Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Tracking prevention > Strict.
  3. Use Privacy-Focused Browser Extensions:
    • UBlock Origin: Blocks ads and trackers effectively.
    • Privacy Badger: Learns to block invisible trackers.
    • HTTPS Everywhere: Encrypts communications with many sites.
    • Decentraleyes: Protects against tracking through Content Delivery Networks (CDNs).
  4. Email Aliases/Masked Emails: Use services like Apple's Hide My Email, ProtonMail Aliases, or Blur to generate unique email addresses for different services. This prevents your primary email from being a central identifier for data aggregation.

Step-by-Step Opt-Out Guides for Major Services

1. Google (Gmail, YouTube, Search, Android)

Google's data collection is extensive, but they offer robust controls.

  1. Access Google Account Controls:
    • Navigate to your Google Account: myaccount.google.com.
    • Go to "Data & privacy" in the left-hand navigation pane.
  2. Manage Your Activity Controls:
    • Under "History settings," click on "Web & App Activity."
      • Toggle Off: "Web & App Activity" (pauses saving search history, Chrome history, and activity from sites/apps that use Google services).
      • Uncheck/Toggle Off: "Include Chrome history and activity from sites, apps, and devices that use Google services."
      • Uncheck/Toggle Off: "Include voice and audio activity."
    • Click on "Location History."
      • Toggle Off: "Location History" (pauses saving where you go with your devices).
    • Click on "YouTube History."
      • Toggle Off: "YouTube History" (pauses saving YouTube search and watch history).
    • Under "Ad settings," click on "Ad Personalization."
      • Toggle Off: "Ad Personalization." This prevents Google from using your activity to personalize ads.
  3. Review and Delete Past Activity:
    • Under "History settings," click on "My Activity."
    • Use the "Delete activity by" option to delete data from "All time."
    • Alternatively, set up "Auto-delete" for Web & App Activity, Location History, and YouTube History to automatically delete data older than 3, 18, or 36 months.
  4. Manage Device Information (Android):
    • On your Android device, go to Settings > Google > Manage your Google Account > Data & privacy.
    • Scroll down to "Device data" and review connected apps and services.

2. Meta (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp)

Meta's business model relies heavily on data sharing for targeted advertising.

  1. Access Facebook Privacy Settings:
    • Log in to Facebook.
    • Click on your profile picture (top right) > "Settings & privacy" > "Settings."
    • In the left sidebar, select "Privacy."
  2. Manage "Your activity":
    • Click "Off-Facebook Activity."
      • Click "Clear History" to disconnect past activity.
      • Click "Manage Future Activity" > "Disconnect Future Activity" (toggle off). This prevents businesses from sharing your activity with Facebook.
  3. Manage "Ad Preferences":
    • In the left sidebar, select "Ads."
    • Click "Ad Settings."
      • Data about your activity from partners: Set to "Not allowed."
      • Categories used to reach you: Review and remove any categories you don't want Facebook to use.
      • Audience-based advertising: Review and remove advertisers from the list.
    • Click "Ad topics" and remove any topics you don't want to see ads about.
  4. App & Website Permissions:
    • In the left sidebar, select "Apps and websites."
    • Review all connected apps and websites. Remove any you no longer use or trust.
    • Ensure "Apps, Websites and Games" platform is turned off if you do not use Facebook login for third-party services.
  5. Instagram (within the Instagram app/web):
    • Go to your Profile > three lines (top right) > "Settings and privacy."
    • Scroll down to "Your app and media" and tap "Ads."
    • Tap "Ad topics" and "Advertisers" to review and remove unwanted categories/advertisers.
    • Review "Website Permissions" if you log in with Instagram.
  6. WhatsApp:
    • WhatsApp generally collects less data for advertising, but Meta has access to some metadata.
    • Settings > Privacy. Review and adjust settings like "Last seen & online," "Profile photo," "About," "Groups," and "Read receipts." Enable "Disappearing messages" for sensitive chats.

3. Microsoft (Windows, Xbox, Outlook)

Microsoft services and Windows OS collect diagnostic and usage data.

  1. Access Microsoft Privacy Dashboard:
    • Go to account.microsoft.com/privacy.
    • Sign in with your Microsoft account.
  2. Manage Activity Data:
    • Under "Manage your activity data," review and clear your search history, browsing history, location activity, voice activity, and media activity.
    • Consider setting up automatic deletion for various activity types.
  3. Manage Ad Settings:
    • Under "Data privacy options," click on "Ad settings."
    • Toggle Off: "See personalized ads wherever I use my Microsoft account." This typically controls personalized ads across Microsoft services.
  4. Windows 10/11 Privacy Settings (Local Machine):
    • Go to Settings > Privacy & security.
    • General: Toggle off "Let apps show me personalized ads..." and "Let websites provide locally relevant content...".
    • Speech: Toggle off "Online speech recognition."
    • Diagnostics & feedback: Select "Required diagnostic data" (instead of Optional) and choose "Never" for "Improve Inking & Typing."
    • Activity history: Uncheck "Store my activity history on this device" and "Send my activity history to Microsoft." Clear existing activity.
    • Location: Toggle off "Location services" and remove apps from accessing location.
    • Camera/Microphone: Review app permissions and disable for apps that don't need them.
    • Contacts, Calendar, Email, Messaging: Review app permissions.

4. Apple (iOS, macOS, iCloud)

Apple emphasizes privacy more than some competitors, but settings still need review.

  1. iOS Privacy Settings:
    • Go to Settings > Privacy & Security.
    • Location Services: Review app access. Set to "Never" or "Ask Next Time" for apps that don't strictly need it. Turn off "System Services" you don't use (e.g., Location-Based Alerts).
    • Tracking: Tap "Tracking." Toggle Off: "Allow Apps to Request to Track." This automatically declines all future app tracking requests.
    • Apple Advertising: Scroll down and tap "Apple Advertising." Toggle Off: "Personalized Ads."
    • Analytics & Improvements: Toggle off all options (e.g., Share iPhone Analytics, Share iCloud Analytics).
    • App Privacy Report: Review this section to see what data apps are accessing and when.
    • Safety Check: Use this feature (iOS 16+) to quickly review and revoke permissions for individuals and apps.
  2. macOS Privacy Settings:
    • Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security.
    • Location Services: Similar to iOS, review and limit app access.
    • Tracking: Click "Tracking" and uncheck "Allow apps to request to track."
    • Analytics & Improvements: Uncheck all options.
    • Advertising: Click "Apple Advertising" and uncheck "Personalized Ads."

5. Amazon (Shopping, Alexa, Kindle)

Amazon collects data on purchases, browsing, and voice commands.

  1. Amazon.com (Web):
    • Log in to your Amazon account.
    • Go to Account & Lists > Your Account.
    • Under "Ordering and shopping preferences," click "Advertising preferences."
      • Select "Do not personalize ads from Amazon for this Internet browser."
    • Under "Data & Privacy," review and manage:
      • Your Data: Request or delete your data.
      • Manage Your Content and Devices: Review and deregister old devices.
  2. Alexa Devices (Echo, Fire TV):
    • Open the Alexa app on your phone.
    • Go to More > Settings > Alexa Privacy.
    • Manage Your Alexa Data:
      • Review "Voice History." You can delete recordings manually or set up automatic deletion (e.g., delete recordings older than 3 months).
      • Toggle Off: "Use voice recordings to improve Amazon services and develop new features."
      • Toggle Off: "Use messages to improve Amazon services."
    • Manage Permissions: Review and restrict app access to contacts, location, etc.
  3. Kindle/Fire Tablets:
    • On the device, go to Settings > Device Options > Privacy.
    • Toggle Off: "Device Usage Data" or "Collect App Usage Data."
    • Toggle Off: "Location Based Services" if available and not needed.

6. X (formerly Twitter)

X collects data on your interactions, followers, and device information.

  1. Access X Privacy Settings:
    • Log in to X.
    • Click "More" (left sidebar) > "Settings and Privacy."
    • Select "Privacy and safety."
  2. Manage Data Sharing:
    • Click "Audience and tagging."
      • Review and adjust "Photo tagging" and "Protect your posts."
    • Click "Direct Messages."
      • Review "Show read receipts."
    • Click "Content you see."
      • Toggle Off: "Show content in this language."
      • Toggle Off: "Explore settings" and "Trends for you" if you don't want tailored content.
    • Click "Sharing and off-X activity."
      • Toggle Off: "Allow ads to be personalized."
      • Toggle Off: "Share data with X business partners."
      • Toggle Off: "Allow X to track where you see X content across the web."
    • Click "Data sharing with business partners."
      • Toggle Off: "Allow audience targeting."
      • Toggle Off: "Allow tailored suggestions."

Local Context and Essential Safeguards for Expats in Ecuador

While opting out of data sharing is a global best practice, expats in Ecuador face specific considerations:

  • Evolving Data Protection Laws: Ecuador's data protection laws are evolving (the Organic Law on Personal Data Protection, LOPDP, was enacted in 2021), but the enforcement and cultural expectations around privacy may differ from your home country or the strict regulations seen in the EU (GDPR) or California (CCPA). Assume that data sharing might be more common or less strictly controlled by default, reinforcing the need for proactive self-management.
  • ISP Data Practices (Netlife, Etapa, CNT): While this article focuses on client-side website opt-outs, be aware that your Internet Service Provider (ISP) could, in principle, collect data on your internet usage. While specific policies vary, it's generally advisable to encrypt your internet traffic using a reputable Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN encrypts your connection from your device to the VPN server, making it much harder for your local ISP or any third party to snoop on your browsing activities. This adds an essential layer of privacy beyond website-specific settings.
  • Local Electronics Purchases: When purchasing new devices locally (e.g., from electronics stores in Cuenca Mall, Supermaxi, or Sukasa), always review their default privacy settings immediately. Some devices might come with pre-installed bloatware or default settings that are more permissive with data collection than you'd expect, especially if configured for local market conditions. Perform a thorough audit of privacy settings on any new phone, computer, or smart home device.
  • Intermittent Power Supply and Surges: Ecuador, and Cuenca specifically, can experience unpredictable power outages and voltage fluctuations. Configuring these sensitive privacy settings requires an uninterrupted connection and device stability. Always ensure your devices are adequately charged or connected to a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) or surge protector before making significant changes to account settings to prevent data corruption or incomplete changes due to sudden power loss. Prioritizing power safety and data integrity is paramount.
    • Surge Protection: Connect all valuable electronics (computers, networking equipment, TVs) to robust surge protectors. High-quality multi-stage surge protectors are available in electronics stores or larger supermarkets in Cuenca.
    • Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS): For critical systems like your primary computer or network router/modem, invest in a UPS. This provides battery backup during short outages, allowing you to safely shut down equipment and protecting against brownouts.
    • Regular Data Backups: Before making any major system or account changes, ensure your critical data is backed up. Use external hard drives, cloud storage (e.g., Google Drive, OneDrive, iCloud, Backblaze), or a combination of both. This is your ultimate safeguard against data loss from power issues or human error during configuration.

For personalized assistance with digital security, network configuration, or any IT challenges unique to expat life in Cuenca, visit us at TechSupportCuenca.com.

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