It’s easy to forget that every online purchase adds to a permanent record of our habits and financial status. But retailers don't just keep this data, they often share or sell it, feeding a whole ecosystem of data brokers. That information, even just a few high value transactions, can be gold for an attacker trying to build a profile for identity theft or targeted fraud.
The good news is that we're not totally helpless. Regulations like GDPR and CCPA give us the right to request data deletion, and most platforms have settings to limit tracking and remove stored payment details. It just requires a proactive approach.
TL;DR
️ Retailers store purchase histories, addresses, and payment info for years.
This data is often shared with third party companies and data brokers.
Criminals can combine leaked shopping data with other info to target individuals.
️ You can reclaim some control by formally requesting data deletion and managing your privacy settings.
https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2025/09/05/privacy-online-shopping-data-risks/
#DataPrivacy #CyberSecurity #Privacy #OnlineShopping