Digital Footprint: What You Leave Behind Online (and How to Clean It Up)
- Marcus
- Aug 1, 2025
- 4 min read
Introduction
Every comment, every Google search, every profile you create adds to something invisible but powerful — your digital footprint. Whether you’re aware of it or not, you’re leaving behind a trail of data that shapes how others see you, how companies target you, and in some cases, how hackers find you.
In this blog, we explore what a digital footprint is, why it matters, how to view your own, and most importantly, how to reduce or clean it up.
What Is a Digital Footprint?
A digital footprint is all the data you generate through your online activity. Some of it is intentional, like what you post on social media or the content you upload. Other parts are passive, like websites tracking your clicks, or apps logging your location.
There are two types:
Active footprint: What you intentionally share — tweets, comments, uploads
Passive footprint: Data collected behind the scenes — cookies, ad trackers, device data
Most people are only aware of the active side. But the passive side is often more invasive.
Why It Matters
Your digital footprint can affect your:
Reputation: Employers, schools, and even dates may Google you
Security: Hackers use old posts and public info for phishing and scams
Privacy: Companies build profiles on your behavior for targeted ads
Opportunities: A careless comment or photo from years ago can resurface and hurt you
Think of your footprint like a digital CV. You may not see it, but others can — and it can influence real-world outcomes.
What Makes Your Footprint Grow?
Here are some common ways your footprint expands:
Signing up for online services and not deleting old accounts
Posting or commenting on public forums
Sharing photos, videos, or personal stories on social media
Downloading apps with poor privacy settings
Shopping online or clicking on targeted ads
Using Google, Facebook, or other big tech without adjusting your privacy settings
Even your WhatsApp profile picture and last seen status are part of your digital identity.
How to See Your Digital Footprint
If you want to know what’s out there, start here:
Google yourself: Use your name, nickname, and email. See what’s public
Check data brokers: In SA, services like PeopleSearch, Nuwber (international), or social media directories may list your info
Review old accounts: Visit sites like JustDelete.Me or search your inbox for welcome emails to find platforms you signed up for
Use “Download My Data” features: Google, Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram all let you request a full report of what they’ve stored about you
How to Clean Up Your Digital Footprint
Here’s a step-by-step digital spring clean:
1.
Delete or deactivate unused accounts
Old accounts still store your data. Delete them if you no longer use them.
2.
Adjust privacy settings
Set your profiles to private, turn off search engine indexing, and review who can tag or mention you.
3.
Clean up social media
Delete posts that no longer reflect who you are. Remove old photos, untag yourself, and remove geolocation tags.
4.
Unsubscribe from email lists
Every newsletter you open confirms your address is active. Unsubscribe or use a spam filter.
5.
Use search engine alternatives
Switch to DuckDuckGo or StartPage to avoid search tracking.
6.
Clear cookies and browsing history
Use tools like CCleaner or your browser settings to delete stored data.
7.
Request data removal
In South Africa, POPIA allows you to request that companies delete or stop processing your personal information. Use this right.
Tools That Can Help
JustDelete.Me – Lists direct links to delete accounts from many services
HaveIBeenPwned.com – Check if your email was involved in a data breach
Data Detox Kit – Mozilla’s free guide to healthier digital habits
Firefox and Brave – Browsers that block trackers by default
SimpleLogin – Lets you create email aliases to protect your real address
How to Keep Your Footprint Under Control Going Forward
Use a separate email for subscriptions
Turn off location sharing unless necessary
Read app permissions before installing
Think before you post — will you still stand by it in five years?
Log out when done with online platforms
Building healthy digital habits now makes future cleanup easier.
What POPIA Says About Your Data in South Africa
South Africa’s Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) gives you the right to know:
What data a company has about you
Why it was collected
Who it is shared with
And to ask for it to be corrected or deleted
You can submit a request to the company, and they must respond within a reasonable time. If they don’t, you can escalate the issue to the Information Regulator.
Final Thoughts
Your digital footprint is a reflection of your online life. It can be used to empower you — or exploit you. Knowing what’s out there, taking control of it, and setting better habits going forward is the heart of digital citizenship.
You don’t have to erase your entire presence. Just make sure what’s left behind tells the story you want others to see.
References
POPIA: https://popia.co.za
Mozilla Data Detox Kit: https://datadetoxkit.org
HaveIBeenPwned: https://haveibeenpwned.com
DuckDuckGo: https://duckduckgo.com
SimpleLogin: https://simplelogin.io
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