1. Is it personal?
How is it used?
Today's world is fueled by data. Almost everything
we encounter - from smart cars and voting booths to
fitness trackers and music players - they all collect
data in an effort to better understand how and why
we do the things we do. This data can be used for
many purposes, from the outright nefarious in the
case of criminal hackers to the (we think) virtuous
use of supporting Ghostery. We created this breakdown so you can be more informed about who wants
your data and how they might use it. After all,
Knowledge + Control = Privacy.
Sadly, yes.
To steal. Your identity, your money,
your passwords, whatever.
What can you
do about it?
PRESENTED BY GHOSTERY
Who wants it?
PRIVAC Y
DA Y
Criminals,
Hackers,
Bad Guys,
Ne'er do wells
This is a security issue, plain and
simple. Be careful what information
you give to sites you don't expressly
trust. Install a good antivirus and a
password manager that lets you
create secure, unique passwords.

2. Is it personal?
To create a profile of what you
like (and specifically, what you
might want to buy) based on
the sites you visit.
Write your representatives. Seriously. Technically, this is tough
to stop. Governments can employ very deep-dive methods of
collection, and compel private companies to cooperate. You can
afford some protection by using services like Tor and Ghostery,
but even these won't stop information gathered via subpeonas
served to ISPs, email services, etc. So seriously, write your
government officials and express your displeasure.
What can you
do about it?
To create detailed profiles in
order to prevent crimes.
How is it used?
Who wants it?
Is it personal?
Maybe. Most of this data
doesn't involve your specfic
information, but a lot can be
inferred from robust profiles.
How is it used?
3rd party, datadriven marketers.
You bet.
What can you
do about it?
Who wants it?
Governments. Notably the US NSA,
but it happens all over the world, by
just about every government, to one
degree or another.
Lots of these guys provide opt-outs via AdChoices
icons or some other program. You can also limit
collection by deleting cookies and browsing in
incognito or private mode. But your best bet is to
use Ghostery, which can block communication
with any companies you don't trust.

3. Not really. Usually non-specific
location and activity info is as
deep as it gets.
Is it personal?
Nope. We take lots of steps to
anonymize what we collect.
To create an overview of
a site's audience.
How is it used?
Who wants it?
Ghostery, via Ghostrank™
We use Ghostrank to better understand how
and where data is collected across the web. We
support Ghostery by selling information about
that tracking activity to companies to help them
better understand themselves and each other.
Though this stuff is mostly harmless
and can probably help the sites you like
get better, if it bugs you, block and/or
opt-out. Ghostery helps a lot here.
What can you
do about it?
Is it personal?
How is it used?
What can you
do about it?
Who wants it?
The sites you visit and
the apps you use
We won't take any data you don't
tell us we can take - so just don't
opt-in. (But please opt-in)