Your digital dossier
A digital dossier is the accumulation of data on the internet that composes a public digital identity. This dossier can include photos and information (birthday, address, school attending) that you post yourself as well as information and photos other people post of you. Even by just using the internet you are revealing habits and interests about yourself. Websites use cookies (small pieces of structured data stored on your hard drive) to track what websites you visit. This allows them to cater advertisements towards what you do on the internet. All this causes your digital dossier to grow.
Impact
The internet is easily accessed. This is both a blessing and a curse. Although it means you can easily research information for your biology project, buy new shoes, or communicate with friends, but it also means that anyone can search up your name and look at your public digital identity. Nowadays, it is quite common for employers to view your Facebook account during a job interview or, in worst-case scenarios, blackmailed because of the information and photos shared on Facebook.
It’s important to be careful what you post and do online because this all becomes part of your digital dossier that will follow you for life. Erasing your public digital identity takes a long time and a lot effort. Often times, you won’t be able to erase your public identity completely. If you’re worried about your digital dossier here is a guide on erasing your digital history.
It’s important to be careful what you post and do online because this all becomes part of your digital dossier that will follow you for life. Erasing your public digital identity takes a long time and a lot effort. Often times, you won’t be able to erase your public identity completely. If you’re worried about your digital dossier here is a guide on erasing your digital history.