As we mark Data Privacy Week (January 26–30), there’s a simple question worth asking: When was the last time you actually looked at your privacy settings?
If you’re like most Canadians, the honest answer is probably “when I first set up the account” – or maybe never. Many Canadians rarely review their social media privacy settings, and even fewer regularly check the permissions they’ve granted to apps on their phones.
Here’s why that matters: Every app you download, every social media platform you join, and every smart device you connect creates a new doorway to your personal information. And while you’ve been living your life, those doorways have been quietly sharing more than you might realize.
The good news? Taking back control doesn’t require a computer science degree. It just requires a bit of time and knowing where to look. This Data Privacy Week, let’s go beyond the basics and conduct a thorough privacy audit of your digital life.
Start Where It Counts: Your Social Media Privacy Settings
Your social media accounts are often the most public-facing part of your digital identity – and they’re frequently oversharing by default.
Review your Facebook privacy settings by accessing Privacy Checkup. Tap the three horizontal lines in the bottom-right corner of the app, then go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Privacy Checkup. (If you’re using the website, click on your profile in the top right corner, then Settings & Privacy > Privacy Checkup.) This guided tool will walk you through reviewing who can see your posts (friends only is recommended), who can look you up using your email or phone number (consider limiting this), and whether your profile appears in search engines. Many Canadians are surprised to discover their profiles are completely public.
On Instagram, tap on your profile in the bottom-right corner, then tap the three horizontal lines at the top-right of your profile to access Settings. Navigate to Privacy and review Account privacy (consider switching to private) and How others interact with you to adjust story sharing settings and who can tag you in photos.
For LinkedIn, tap on your profile in the mobile app and go to Settings. (On the website, click on your profile in the top right, then Settings & Privacy.) Review Visibility to check who can see your connections, whether you appear in search engine results, and how your profile is shown to others. Also review Data Privacy to limit how LinkedIn uses your data for advertising. Since LinkedIn is professional, you may want broader visibility – but it’s worth understanding what you’re sharing.
The key principle: If a setting offers options like “Everyone,” “Friends,” or “Only Me,” ask yourself who genuinely needs to see that information. When in doubt, choose the most restrictive option that still lets you use the platform effectively.
Audit Your App Permissions (You’ll Be Surprised)
Your smartphone knows more about you than almost anyone in your life. That’s because every app you’ve installed has asked for permissions – and most of us tap “Allow” without reading what we’re agreeing to.
On iPhone, go to Settings > Privacy & Security and review each category (Location Services, Contacts, Photos, Microphone, Camera). For each permission, ask yourself: Does this app genuinely need this access to function? A flashlight app doesn’t need your location. A recipe app doesn’t need access to your contacts.
On Android, open Settings > Privacy > Permission Manager and review the same categories. Pay special attention to apps with “Allow all the time” location access – very few apps actually need to track your location when you’re not using them.
Here’s a practical tip: If you haven’t used an app in the past three months, consider deleting it entirely. Every installed app represents a potential privacy risk, especially if it’s no longer receiving security updates.
Your Google Account Knows Everything (And We Mean Everything)
If you use Gmail, Google Search, YouTube, or an Android phone, Google has been quietly building a comprehensive profile of your life. We’re talking about every search you’ve made, every place you’ve visited, every video you’ve watched, and every email you’ve received – all stored and used to personalize ads and services.
Start by visiting myaccount.google.com and clicking on “Data & Privacy” in the left sidebar. Under “History settings,” you’ll see what Google is tracking. Click on “Web & App Activity” to see (and pause) tracking of your searches, websites visited, and app usage. Click on “Location History” to see everywhere your phone has been – you can pause this or delete your timeline entirely.
Next, review your ad personalization. In the same Data & Privacy section, click “Ad settings” to see what Google thinks your interests are based on your activity. You might be surprised by how detailed this profile is. You can turn off ad personalization entirely, though you’ll still see ads – they just won’t be based on your behavior.
For YouTube specifically, visit youtube.com/feed/history and consider pausing your watch and search history. Google uses this to recommend videos, but it also means every video you’ve ever watched is stored and analyzed.
Your Privacy Is Worth Protecting
Data Privacy Week reminds us that privacy isn’t something that happens automatically – it’s a choice we make through our daily digital habits. You don’t need to delete all your accounts or throw away your smartphone to protect your privacy. You just need to be intentional about what you share, who you share it with, and how that information is used.
By conducting this privacy audit, you’re taking meaningful steps to reduce your digital footprint and limit the personal information available to data brokers, marketers, and potential bad actors. And that’s something your future self will thank you for.
Remember to stay vigilant, stay informed, and stay safe.
