Your Digital Footprint
Learn what a digital footprint is and simple steps to manage what you share online.
What Is a Digital Footprint?
Every time you use the internet, you leave a trail. This trail is called your digital footprint. It includes the websites you visit, things you post on social media, and the searches you make.
Think of it like footprints on East Coast Park beach. As you walk, you leave marks. Online, you leave marks too — and some of them stay for a long time.
Two types of digital footprint
Active footprint — things you choose to share, like a photo you post on Facebook or a comment you write in a WhatsApp group.
Passive footprint — things collected without you actively doing it, like which websites you visit or how long you spend on a page.
Why does it matter in Singapore?
- Companies use your data to show you adverts that match your interests.
- Your social media posts can be seen by employers, family, or strangers.
- Scammers in Singapore may use your personal details from social media to make their messages sound more real.
- Under the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA), companies in Singapore must handle your data safely — you have the right to ask what data they hold about you.
Simple steps to manage your footprint
- Check your privacy settings on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok — choose who can see your posts.
- Use private or incognito mode in your browser when you want more privacy.
- Think before you post — once something is online, it can be hard to remove.
- Clear your browsing history and cookies from time to time.
- Be careful about sharing your NRIC number, home address, or phone number online.
- Use strong, unique passwords for SingPass, CPF, and your bank apps.
Tip: Singapore’s Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) has a free helpline at 1800 835 6840 if you think your personal data has been misused.