Pros and Cons of Your Digital

Footprint

A digital footprint is the trail of

information we leave behind
while using digital technology.
We create these footprints by
using the Internet, social media,
credit cards, loyalty cards, GPS
systems, etc. Third parties (like
card issuers, advertisers, and
law enforcement) can get Pros:
access to this data in order to
• Fraud or legal issues can more easily be
piece together our identity and
detected.
use it in some way.
• Personalization (like suggested products or
It’s easy to look at the negative
related advertising) serves to add value to
aspects of a digital footprint,
our use of the Internet.
but there are in fact some
• Companies can more easily offer incentives
positives as well. based on I interests and needs, sometimes
resulting in cost savings.

Cons:
• Personal data can be used to generate
revenue without our knowledge
• It can be annoying and distracting to be
constantly inundated with advertisements
and information
• Purchase behaviour data may be used as a
basis to reduce credit limits or increase
interest rates