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How do I know what data companies are collecting about me online?

Start where the friction is. Most platforms have privacy settings buried three clicks deep—that's intentional. You can request your data from major companies through GDPR (Europe) or CCPA (California) laws; others have similar frameworks. But here's what Laozi understood: you don't need to audit every stream. Pick the platforms where you spend actual time—email, social, search. Look at their privacy policies, not for perfection, but for honesty about *what they're selling*. Some companies are explicit; others use language designed to obscure. Then ask yourself: which of these relationships still feel worth it? I've found that naming the exchange—admitting 'I trade location data for convenience'—changes how you move through it. You stop pretending. From there, small choices compound. Disable location history on one app. Switch search engines. The goal isn't paranoia or total escape; it's clear sight. You're learning to see the current before you decide whether to swim with it.

Related questions

What's the difference between targeted ads and surveillance?
Targeted ads use your data to predict behavior; surveillance is about collecting it without real consent. One feels like convenience. The other feels invasive once you see it. The problem: companies do both simultaneously. Ads are the justification for surveillance infrastructure. Understanding this distinction helps you resist the comfortable lie that tracking is just 'personalization.'
Should I use a VPN to hide from corporate data collection?
A VPN hides your IP from internet providers and networks, not from the apps you use. If you log into Facebook through a VPN, Facebook still knows it's you. VPNs help with one part of the ecosystem. They're useful, especially on public wifi, but they're not a solution to corporate surveillance—they're a tool within a larger practice of attention.
How often should I check my privacy settings on social media?
Companies change policies every few months, and defaults always shift toward more sharing. Quarterly checks catch major changes. But more important: notice *when* you feel the urge to check. That discomfort is data itself—it's telling you something about your relationship with that platform. Trust that signal.
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