Am I being tracked? Solutions to online user tracking

Are you making mindful choices in your digital life?Many companies have been profiting from exploiting your data, whether you choose to share it or unknowingly do so while using online services. One of the most commonly used methods of exploitation is tracking. The good thing is that there are many empathetic people and companies that are also working to protect us from it.Today I’m joined by Dave Smyth, designer and developer with a keen passion for privacy and ethics. Dave is using empathy to guide his clients to choose solutions that enhance privacy while also helping them grow their business.I’m delighted to have Dave on not just as a guest on the podcast but also as a co-host! This is the first of many conversations where we’ll explore the implications of lack of empathy in tech and, particularly, in cybersecurity and privacy, as well as the options and solutions to the problems this generates.In this episode, you’ll learn about why empathy is important when addressing privacy and cybersecurity issues. You’ll also learn about email tracking and the information this invasive – but inconspicuous – strategy harvests. Lastly, we’ll discuss the steps that Apple has taken to enhance the privacy of its users and the impact that those initiatives are expected to have.In this episode, you will learn:Why empathy is becoming a big deal in tech and cybersecurity (04:51)How email tracking works and why many people are unaware it exists (06:56)Tools you can use to block companies from tracking you and how they work (10:52)How Apple mail protects users from being tracked (15:33)Resources: Article: Empathy is the most important leadership skill according to researchNo to spy pixelsBelow RadarFathomButtondown emailArticle: The iOS 15 privacy settings you should change right nowPII definitionConnect with Dave:WebsiteLinkedInTwitterLet’s connect!WebsiteLinkedInTwitter