How to Protect Your Privacy Online: 5 Simple Steps to Take Back Control

Every time you go online, you leave behind digital footprints—your searches, conversations, locations, and habits are all being tracked, stored, and often sold to advertisers and other third parties. Big Tech thrives on collecting and monetising your personal data, shaping everything from the ads you see to the content you engage with.

The good news? You’re not powerless. With a few simple changes, you can take back control of your privacy and keep your personal data out of Big Tech’s hands.

1. Upgrade to a Better Browser

Your browser is your gateway to the internet, but not all browsers respect your privacy. If you're still using Google Chrome or… Edge… it might be time to switch to a more secure option.

Google uses fingerprinting to track your device, software settings, and browsing habits, creating a persistent digital profile for advertisers. Unlike cookies, fingerprinting can’t be easily blocked or deleted, making it a highly invasive form of tracking. The only real way to opt out? Stop using Chrome and switch to a privacy-focused browser like Brave or Firefox, which actively block fingerprinting and protect your data.

Privacy-focussed browsers are, in a way, the exact opposite of data hungry browsers like Chrome. Brave and Firefox are actually faster than Chrome because their primary purpose is to be a tool to browse the internet. Google’s core source of revenue is selling your information, so the primary purpose of Chrome is to collect as much information about you as it can.

If you want to learn more about which privacy-focused browser is best for you, SessionTV has you covered 👇

Brave goes a step further with built-in ad blockers and a VPN. Switching browsers takes just minutes and drastically improves your privacy.

2. Create Unique Logins for Every Account

Have you ever wanted to sign up for an account with a new website, and been given the option to Signing up for websites using your Google, Apple, or Facebook account (Single Sign-On) is convenient but terrible for privacy.

When you do this, you’re not really creating a new, unique account for that website. What you’re really doing when you use SSO is linking your existing Google/Apple/Facebook account to that website. This means that, if you used a Google account for example, Google may be able to see your activity on that website.

It also means that rather than having many seperate accounts which all have unique credentials protecting them from hackers and other nefarious third parties, you have one bulging frankensteins monster account which—if compromised—will grant access to countless online services that you use.

SSO allows Big Tech to track you across multiple sites and apps. Even worse, if a hacker gains access to your main account, they could compromise every linked account.

3. Review and Restrict App Permissions

Your phone collects an alarming amount of data—but only if you let it. Many apps request permissions they don’t actually need, like access to your contacts, microphone, or location.

When you install a new app, be aware of which permissions you’re granting. You can also easily review the permissions you’ve already granted to the apps on your device, and it only takes a few minutes of your time.

Here’s a quick guide for how to review your permissions, based on which mobile OS you use.

• On iOS, go to Settings > Privacy & Security to see what each app can access.

• On Android, use the Privacy Dashboard to monitor and revoke unnecessary permissions.

Quick fixes:

• Disable location tracking for apps that don’t need it.

• Revoke microphone or camera access unless absolutely necessary.

• Turn off “App Tracking Transparency” on iOS to prevent cross-app tracking.

Most apps collect far more data than they need. By restricting permissions, you take back control.

4. Use Private Messaging and Email Services

Your messages and emails contain more sensitive information than you might think—private conversations, personal details, and even financial data. If you're not using privacy-first services, this data is at risk of being accessed by third parties, stolen, or even sold.

Many messaging apps offer end-to-end encryption, ensuring only you and the recipient can read your messages. But encryption alone isn’t enough—many platforms still collect metadata, such as who you talk to, when, and how often. This seemingly harmless data can be used to build a detailed picture of your relationships, routines, and behavior.

For truly private communication, switch to a secure messaging app like Session, which eliminates metadata collection entirely, ensuring that even the service provider has no insight into your activity.

Likewise, if you want to protect your emails from being scanned and stored by Big Tech, consider a privacy-focused email provider like ProtonMail. These services encrypt your messages and keep your inbox secure from corporate surveillance and data mining.

Your conversations should belong to you—not to advertisers, governments, or tech giants. Take control by choosing services that respect your privacy.

5. Lock Down Your Socials

Social media platforms are designed to extract as much personal information as possible. Every like, post, and comment feeds into an algorithm that builds a detailed, hidden profile of your interests, habits, and even emotions. This data is then sold to advertisers, used to curate content that keeps you engaged, and even leveraged to subtly influence your decisions and behavior.

But you don’t have to hand over your personal data so easily. Here’s how to limit their reach:

• Review your privacy settings

  – Set your profiles to private, restrict who can see your posts, and limit what data is shared with others.

• Disable ad personalisation

  – Opt out of targeted advertising to prevent platforms from tracking your activity and building a profile on you.

• Manage connected apps

  – Regularly check and revoke access to third-party apps that may still be collecting your data long after you’ve stopped using them.

• Use alternative platforms

  – Consider switching to privacy-focused social networks that don’t rely on surveillance-based advertising.

• Be mindful of what you share

  – Even seemingly harmless posts can reveal more about you than you realise. Avoid sharing personal details like your location, travel plans, or habits.

Social media doesn’t have to be a free pass for Big Tech to track your every move. With a few adjustments to your settings and a more cautious approach to sharing, you can completely customise how much of your information is theirs for the taking.

Take Back Your Privacy—Now

Big Tech runs on surveillance—tracking what you do, who you talk to, and where you go. They profit off your data, but you don’t have to play along.

Small shifts make a big impact:

🔒 Ditch invasive apps for private ones

🌍 Lock down social media settings

📱 Cut off tracking with a secure browser

🚫 Limit app permissions

This isn’t just about privacy—it’s about control. The internet shouldn’t be a one-way mirror where corporations watch your every move. Take action today. Own your digital life.