Privacy & technology

Privacy Is More Than “Nothing to Hide”

Privacy is the ability to decide what parts of your life you share, when you share them, and with whom. Wanting privacy does not automatically mean someone is hiding wrongdoing.

People may reasonably want privacy around their health, relationships, location, finances, conversations, family, recovery, personal struggles, identity, or plans.

“Who actually needs this information—and why?”

What Technology Can Reveal

Depending on the device, account, application, and settings being used, digital activity may expose:

• Browsing activity and search history
• Messages and account activity
• Photographs and contacts
• Approximate or precise location
• Purchase activity and login history
• Connected devices and signed-in accounts
• Information voluntarily submitted to websites or applications

If You Think a Device May Be Monitored

Safety can matter more than immediately “fixing” the device. If another person may be intentionally monitoring you, abruptly removing software, changing passwords, disabling location sharing, or resetting a device could sometimes alert that person.

When possible:

• Use a device the potentially monitoring person cannot access
• Speak with a trusted advocate or qualified support service
• Consider what information could be exposed before changing settings
• Avoid putting a detailed safety plan on a device you believe is monitored
• Preserve important evidence when appropriate rather than automatically deleting everything

Stronger Everyday Account Security

• Use different passwords for important accounts
• Use a reputable password manager when appropriate
• Enable multi-factor authentication where available
• Prefer stronger phishing-resistant authentication such as passkeys or security keys when supported and practical
• Keep operating systems, browsers, and applications updated
• Be cautious with unexpected links, attachments, and login requests
• Verify suspicious messages through another trusted communication method
• Review account recovery email addresses and phone numbers
• Review signed-in devices and sharing permissions when it is safe to do so

Location Sharing

Location can be shared in more places than a map application. Review, when safe:

• Location-sharing services and family account features
• Photo metadata and camera settings
• Social-media check-ins and shared calendars
• Vehicle systems and Bluetooth trackers
• Wearable devices and cloud accounts
• Applications with location permissions

Social Media

Before posting, consider whether a photograph, location tag, school or workplace reference, routine, travel plan, family detail, or background landmark reveals more than intended.

Ask friends and relatives not to post your location or personal information without your permission.

Privacy settings can reduce exposure, but they cannot guarantee that content will never be copied, shared, photographed, or otherwise redistributed.

Children & Families

Children deserve digital privacy too. Families can teach a simple pause before sharing:

Before sharing a photo, location, school information, private message, or personal detail, ask:

• Who will see this?
• Why do they need it?
• Could sharing it create a problem later?

Scams, Phishing & Pressure

Be cautious when a message creates sudden pressure:

• “Act now.”
• “Send the code.”
• “Your account will disappear.”
• “Don’t tell anyone.”
• “Move this conversation somewhere else.”
• “Pay immediately.”

Urgency alone does not prove fraud, but pressure is a reason to slow down and verify independently. Do not give authentication codes or passwords to someone merely because they claim to represent a trusted organization.

What You Matter Can and Cannot Promise

You Matter does not claim that visiting this hub is invisible, anonymous, untracked, impossible to monitor, or leaves no digital trace.

“If privacy or safety is a concern, consider using a safer device and review the privacy information for the services you use.”

When Technology Is Part of Abuse or Control

Technology-facilitated abuse can include unwanted monitoring, repeated account access, location tracking, impersonation, harassment, threats, controlling access to devices or accounts, or other misuse of technology.

A red flag is a signal to examine, not automatic proof of who is responsible. If relationship abuse or technology monitoring is a concern, specialist advocates can help you think through options without requiring you to solve everything alone.

A Small Privacy Check

Ask yourself:

• What information am I sharing?
• Who can access it?
• Does that person or service actually need it?
• Would changing this setting create another safety concern?
• What is one safer step I can take today?

You Matter

Technology should serve people—not make people feel powerless. Learning how information moves can help us make more intentional decisions about what we share and what we protect.

This resource is free. No purchase is required to access You Matter support and education.

Sources and authoritative guidance

• National Domestic Violence Hotline — Internet Safety
• CISA — Cybersecurity Best Practices
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
• NNEDV Safety Net Project — Technology Safety

Links are provided for easier access and do not imply endorsement or partnership. Availability, eligibility, and hours can change; verify directly. This page is educational and does not replace emergency, medical, legal, or professional care.