Opt-out of data usage or collection

You often have the right to opt-out of data collection and usage. Unfortunately opting out can be rather complex. But in order to comply with various laws, and to claim they are doing right by consumers, most companies do have a functional path to opt out of various things.

A common opt-out is cookies and other types of web tracking. In order to claim that opting out is a reasonable and realistic thing for consumers to do, advertisers form alliances where consumers can (theoretically) opt out of tracking by all members on one page.

Steps

Try opting out of cookie tracking using one of the two websites below. Both of these sites are run by advertising networks. Do your best to opt out of as many trackers as possible.

Reflection questions

  • What was the experience like?
  • Are you confident that you opted out correctly without making any errors?
  • Are you confident that you will no longer be tracked by these companies?

Other things to try

Try opting out of some other form of tracking or marketing. Below are some ideas of what to try:

  • Car: most modern cars send information back to their makers. Try finding out what information is sent and opting out of its secondary usage as much as possible.
  • Robotic Vacuum: most robot vacuums map homes and send data back
  • TV: Most modern smart TVs collect detailed information about what shows are being watched. They may also add behavioral marketing based on collected data.
  • Smart Meters: Likely installed by the energy company. Find out if your house, apartment, dorm, condo, or other residence has a smart meter.

If you have done the Javascript activity already. Try installing UMatrix again and then opting out using one of the two pages above. Consider how different privacy protection technology may interfear with each other.

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