A digital footprint consists of the traces users leave behind in the digital environment after performing activities. While it facilitates faster and more accurate access to the needed data, it also poses security risks due to the sharing of personal data with third parties.

What is a Digital Footprint?

A digital footprint is the data left behind from past activities on the internet. This data includes IP addresses, device information, location details, social media posts, and shopping reviews, among other personal data. All these traces are collectively referred to as a digital footprint. There are two types of digital footprints:

1. Active Digital Footprint: This is the footprint knowingly left by the user. Social media posts and shopping reviews fall under this category. Tracking and managing these footprints is relatively easy.
2. Passive Digital Footprint: This is the footprint left unintentionally or necessarily by the user. It includes data collected or required while browsing the internet or using mobile applications. Tracking and managing this type of footprint is difficult.

Why is a Digital Footprint Important?

Digital traces are usually permanent. Even non-permanent ones are kept on record for a certain period. During this period, they can be shared with third-party applications. The warning about cookies when you visit a website indicates that your digital footprint is being recorded and shared, highlighting its importance.

Another important point is that some digital footprints are visible and accessible to everyone. This visibility reflects a person's digital reputation.

Digital footprints can be considered personalized data. Cybersecurity experts note that attackers utilize digital footprints in phishing attacks. With the advancement of artificial intelligence technologies, it is possible to encounter negative effects such as the creation of fake content and the spread of disinformation.

How to Erase a Digital Footprint?

It is not entirely possible to erase a digital footprint. However, there are several ways to reduce it:

• You can control your digital footprint using a few tools available on the internet. The first step is to search your name in quotes on any search engine to see where it appears. If there is content you want to remove, you can contact the website administrator and request its deletion.
• You can apply for the right to be forgotten by Google, which allows you to remove your digital footprint from Google search results. Note that this only affects search results and does not remove the content from the website itself. To remove content from the website, you should contact the site administrator as mentioned in the first point. If you make no progress, you may consider legal avenues.
• Delete old and unused social media accounts.
• Reduce your digital footprint by refraining from unnecessary sharing on the internet.
• Exercise your right to reject cookies in the settings of the websites you visit. On websites that do not offer a rejection option, you can share less data by selecting only the mandatory options instead of all available ones.
• While a digital footprint provides convenience in the digital environment, it can also lead to data losses. Being aware of the types of data collected by the websites you visit, understanding their privacy settings, and knowing the permissions of mobile applications can raise awareness of your digital footprint. Consequently, you can reduce your traces in the digital environment over time, thereby minimizing potential risks.