- Companies collect data you give, data they observe and conclusions they draw.
- You can reduce it with permission settings, ad controls, fewer accounts and careful sharing.
- Laws such as Nigeria’s Data Protection Act 2023 give people rights over their data.
The short answer
Almost every app, website, shop and network collects information about you. Some is needed to give you the service, and some is collected for advertising or sold to others. You cannot hide completely, but you can learn what is happening and make careful choices. This guide goes deeper than the basics in digital footprint.
What kinds of data are collected
| Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Data you give | Name, phone number, email, address, photos, payments |
| Data they observe | Location, pages visited, searches, purchases, time spent, device details |
| Data they infer | Interests, income level, likes and dislikes guessed from your behaviour |
| Data from others | Information bought from data brokers or shared by partners |
Who collects it
- Apps and websites, including social media.
- Advertising networks that follow you from site to site.
- Shops and loyalty programmes.
- Banks, telecom companies and payment services.
- Smart devices, cameras and connected cars.
Why it matters
- Targeted advertising can influence what you buy, read and believe.
- Data breaches can expose your details to criminals, who use them for scams. See phishing emails and SMS scams.
- Location and habits can reveal private details about your life.
- Information collected for one purpose may be used for another.
Take control: your phone and apps
- Review app permissions for location, microphone, camera, contacts and photos. Allow only what the app needs.
- Delete apps you no longer use, and install apps only from official stores. See fake apps and malware.
- Turn off ad personalisation and ad tracking in your phone settings.
- Do not log in with a social account unless you must.
Take control: browsing and accounts
- Use a browser with strong privacy settings and consider blocking third-party cookies.
- Say no to unnecessary cookie options.
- Use unique passwords and two-factor login. See password manager and two-factor login.
- Check your social settings. See social media privacy settings.
- Consider a VPN for public Wi-Fi, but understand its limits. Read how to choose a VPN.
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- Use a separate email address for sign-ups and shopping.
- Give only the details a form really requires.
- Be careful with quizzes and surveys that ask for personal information.
- Remember that photos can contain location data.
- Think before sharing ID numbers, bank details or family information.
Use your rights
Many countries give people rights over their personal data. In Nigeria, the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission set rules for organisations that handle personal data, and people can usually ask what data is held and request corrections or deletion in certain cases. The European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation and other laws offer similar rights. Look for a privacy contact in a company’s policy, and read official guidance for the exact rights and process. See our own privacy policy for how this site handles data.
If your data is exposed
- Change the password for the affected account and any account that uses the same one.
- Turn on two-factor login.
- Watch bank and mobile money statements for unusual activity.
- Be alert for messages that use your details to trick you.
- Report the problem to the company and, if money is involved, to your bank.
Quick checklist
- Review app permissions
- Turn off ad tracking where you can
- Use unique passwords and two-factor login
- Share only what is needed
- Know your data rights
- Act quickly after a breach
Key points to remember
Privacy is a set of habits, not a one-time task. Choose a few steps from this list and add more over time.
