How can you protect your privacy when using e-commerce platforms?

E-commerce platforms offer convenience, variety, and competitive prices, but they also pose some privacy risks. When you shop online, you share personal and financial information with third parties, which can be used for marketing, profiling, or even fraud. How can you protect your privacy when using e-commerce platforms? Here are some tips to help you shop safely and securely online.

1 Check the platform's privacy policy

Before you sign up or make a purchase on an e-commerce platform, read its privacy policy carefully. This document should explain how the platform collects, uses, and protects your data, and what choices you have regarding your privacy. Look for clauses that indicate how long the platform retains your data, whether it shares it with other parties, and how you can access, update, or delete your data. If the policy is vague, unclear, or missing, you may want to avoid that platform.

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Najah Al Riyami

BA Creative Writing. MA Communication & Media studies. Copyeditor. Creative Writer. Content Creator. Social Media Strategist. Branding. Blogs. Posts. Articles. Profiles. Website Content. CV's. Press Release. Etc
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I agree, but oftentimes I feel many of us tend to skip over the step of reading the fineprint details. Transparency should not only be readily available, it should also be clear and accesible, without having to renavigate. For example, having a disclaimer stating the necessary details (what date will be stored, for how long and for what purpose) that pops up on the screen before we share our details could be useful and help the e-commerce site gain credibility with that level of transparency.

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2 Use strong and unique passwords

One of the simplest ways to protect your privacy on e-commerce platforms is to use strong and unique passwords for each account. A strong password should be at least 12 characters long, include a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols, and avoid common words or phrases. A unique password means that you do not use the same password for multiple accounts, especially those that involve sensitive information. This way, if one of your accounts is compromised, the others are not at risk.

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3 Enable two-factor authentication

Another way to enhance your privacy on e-commerce platforms is to enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for your accounts. 2FA is a security feature that requires you to enter a code or a token, in addition to your password, to log in to your account. The code or token is usually sent to your phone or email, or generated by an app. 2FA makes it harder for hackers to access your account, even if they have your password.

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4 Limit the information you share

When you use e-commerce platforms, you may be asked to provide various information, such as your name, address, phone number, email, birth date, preferences, and payment details. While some of this information is necessary for processing your order and delivery, some of it may be optional or excessive. To protect your privacy, limit the information you share to the minimum required, and avoid giving out sensitive or personal data that is not relevant to the transaction. For example, you do not need to share your social security number, bank account number, or medical history with an e-commerce platform.

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Mohammed Al Rahbi

Oman & Indian Ocean History | Swahili Culture I Storytelling I Podcasting
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Certainly, to safeguard your privacy while using e-commerce platforms, it's advisable to adhere to the principle of sharing only the essential information necessary for the transaction. Avoid providing sensitive or excessive personal data, such as your social ID card number, bank account number, or medical history, unless explicitly required for the specific transaction. This practice helps minimise the exposure of your private information and enhances your online privacy.

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5 Use a secure connection and device

Another tip to protect your privacy on e-commerce platforms is to use a secure connection and device when you shop online. A secure connection means that the website you are visiting has a valid SSL certificate, which encrypts the data you send and receive. You can tell if a website is secure by looking for a padlock icon or a https prefix in the address bar. A secure device means that the computer, tablet, or smartphone you are using has updated software, antivirus, and firewall, and that you do not use public or shared devices or networks to access your accounts.

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6 Review your transactions and settings

Finally, to protect your privacy on e-commerce platforms, you should review your transactions and settings regularly. Check your order history, invoices, and receipts to make sure that there are no errors, unauthorized charges, or suspicious activities. If you find any, report them to the platform and your bank or card issuer immediately. Also, check your account settings to see if you can adjust your privacy preferences, opt out of marketing emails, or delete your data if you no longer use the platform.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How can you protect your privacy when using e-commerce platforms?

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1 Check the platform's privacy policy

2 Use strong and unique passwords

3 Enable two-factor authentication

4 Limit the information you share

5 Use a secure connection and device

6 Review your transactions and settings

7 Here’s what else to consider

E-commerce

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How can you protect your privacy when using e-commerce platforms?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Check the platform's privacy policy

2 Use strong and unique passwords

3 Enable two-factor authentication

4 Limit the information you share

5 Use a secure connection and device

6 Review your transactions and settings

7 Here’s what else to consider

E-commerce

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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