But there’s another part of protecting your personal information that often gets overlooked: data deletion. Every app, website, and device collects information about us, sometimes far more than we realize. Here's what to know about what “deleting your data” means and how you can do it effectively

Why data deletion matters

Every bit of data about you, your location, shopping habits, search history, old accounts, and even forgotten documents, has value. Companies may use it to fuel algorithms and "personalize" ads. This data also has value to cybercriminals. The more information floating around about you, the easier it is for scammers to impersonate you, guess your passwords, and tailor phishing attacks.

Data deletion reduces your digital footprint, making it harder for businesses and criminals to find the details they need. It also helps limit how much data apps and platforms can store about you, which lowers the impact on you if they experience a data breach.

Deletion vs. deactivation: What’s the difference?

One of the biggest misconceptions is that deleting something online makes it vanish instantly. Digital deletion has a few layers:

• Deleting a file or app often just moves it to a trash folder on your device until it’s permanently erased.

• Deleting an account usually removes your profile but may leave behind data that the company keeps, depending on the terms of service.

• Deactivating an account simply pauses it — the company still has all the data involved.

When you're deleting data on apps or platforms (such as social media), look for the option to permanently delete, close, or remove your data. Many services now offer built-in “delete my data” tools, driven by growing privacy regulations.

The hidden problem of old accounts and forgotten data 

If you’ve been online for years, you probably have dozens of accounts you haven’t touched in forever. A coupon site you used once. A social network that was trendy for five months in 2018. These “ghost accounts” still contain your personal data, and many were created before modern security standards. 

To shrink your digital footprint, try the following: 

• Search your email for sign-up reminders using keywords like “welcome,” “verify,” or “confirm.” 

• Check your password manager’s saved passwords to see which apps or services you haven’t used in a long time.

• Close accounts you don't need and request permanent deletion of your data where possible.

It may feel tedious, but every deleted account is one less place storing your personal information. And it may result in fewer promotional emails and a smaller footprint.  

How to delete your data

Deleting data effectively requires a little strategy.

• Empty the trash everywhere.

• Deleting a file on your computer or phone usually doesn’t erase it immediately. Make sure you empty trash folders, photo recycling bins, and deleted message boxes.

• Clear the data stored inside apps.

Many apps save more data than you see on screen, such as cached searches, location history, or old conversations. Look for options like:

• “Clear history”

• “Delete activity”

• “Manage data”

• “Reset app data”

Delete what’s stored in the cloud.

If you back up photos, documents, or files to cloud services (and you should back up your data), deleting them locally won’t remove the cloud version. Open your cloud account and delete them there too. Be sure to empty the cloud “trash” folder as well.

Close accounts you no longer use.

Most major services now provide detailed steps for fully removing your data. In your account or app settings, look for:

• “Delete account”

• “Remove my data”

• “Request data deletion”

Some may take a few days or weeks to finalize, but once done, your information should no longer be available (assuming the account complies with the law).

Check your browser. 

Your browser stores a surprising amount of information like cookies, autofill entries, passwords, and your browsing history. Clearing these regularly helps limit what’s stored on your device. Some privacy browsers delete most of this data by default and are worth checking out! 

What about data you can’t delete? 

Some information can’t be erased because companies must keep it for legal, financial, or safety reasons. For example, certain financial records or security logs need to be preserved for a set amount of time. In these cases, focus on what you can control: what you choose to share, what you post publicly, and which services you continue using. Data privacy is always a balance between what you can control, what you can't, convenience, and privacy.  

Tips for staying in control of your data 

Building a healthier digital footprint isn’t a one-time project but an ongoing habit. Here are a few quick practices that make a big difference: 

• Review your accounts once a year, like during Data Privacy Week! 

• Use strong, unique passwords, so deleted accounts aren’t as big of a risk if passwords leak, and enable MFA for all your accounts for a whole other shield of protection.

• Always think carefully when sharing personal details, especially on forms or shopping sites, and always scrutinize any request for personal data as a phishing attempt.

• Check and adjust privacy settings regularly to reduce how much data companies collect in the first place. 

Data Privacy Week is a good time to check in on your habits! 

Data deletion is one of the most effective ways to protect your privacy. By clearing out old accounts, deleting unneeded data, auditing your unused apps, and taking control of what information you share, you can significantly reduce your digital footprint. Data Privacy Week is a great time to take a few minutes (maybe an hour or two total) to tidy up your digital life. We think you can value your data even more than the marketers and criminals do!