Digital Footprint
Updated: Aug 24
What is Digital Footprint?
Short answer: the history of what you did on the internet.
It’s the unique trail that a user creates while using the internet. There are two main categories: active and passive.
Active data collects your choices and requires a response or action.
Social media posts, emails, and accepting cookies on websites.
Passive data is collected without you knowing.
Apps use your likes, shares, and comments to recommend specific advertisements.
Why does this matter?
In today’s world, your digital footprint can affect your privacy, security, reputation, and future opportunities.
If your data is leaked, your safety is at risk. It can affect both your personal relationships and job opportunities. You can also face legal consequences. Employers and college admission officers can look for your digital footprint. But how much can they see?
Digital footprints are only loosely protected; no single federal law protects them. However, there are restrictions.
College admission officers and hiring managers
Most of the public, including hiring managers and admissions officers, can access only the public domain.
The majority of college admission officers don’t even bother to look.
Those who do search for your public social media accounts or simply “Firstname Lastname + City” on Google.
A majority of hiring managers do look.
Primarily on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
It’s illegal to access restricted and private information (hacking) under CFAA.
Federal Government
The government is restricted by three important laws: the Privacy Act of 1974, the Freedom of Information Act, and the E-Government Act of 2002.
Rights given to YOU
You can request access to and changes to your federal records (at https://www.foia.gov/).
You must give consent before the government shares your information.
Police
The Fourth Amendment protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures. This means that police can’t search your private messages without following legal procedures like:
Warrants - Requires probable cause (reasonable belief that evidence of a crime will be found) and a judge’s permission.
Access to highly sensitive information, like your DMs.
Court Order - Requires specific facts and evidence to show material will be relevant.
Access to non-content transactional content (who, what, when/data about data).
Subpoenas - Require the requested information to be relevant to the case.
Access to Basic Subscriber Information (BSI), like account names and IP addresses used during login.
Exceptions: police can search without a warrant if…
You give consent
In an emergency
To protect officer safety and evidence
In plain view
In cars
Summary
Takeaway: Your digital footprint is permanent/hard to get rid of. Think before you post! However, most of your digital footprint is inaccessible to most people.
Can schools/colleges see my social media?
Only if it’s public. Your private Instagram account is generally safe, unless it becomes public or someone shares a screenshot.
Social media posts can lead to disciplinary action
Can employers see my digital footprint?
Yes, only if public. Generally, they won’t be able to see any information in your private account.
Can police read my messages?
Only with legal permission (like using a warrant).
Can parents see what I do online?
They may be able to under these circumstances:
Own or manage your device
Use parental controls
Know your passwords
Manage your WiFi (able to see a list of website names you visited)
To Learn More
How to protect your digital footprint
Digital Footprint in regard to business
List of laws that apply to digital footprint
Sources
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