Was gonna make a post about how to delete my shadow profile from everywhere, but the more I dug the deeper the rabbit hole went…

So I know we’re all aware our personal data is being taken by these companies just by us existing, but as I dug deeper I realized just how much data is actually being collected from us. I started with clearing my personal data from every site possible; I already knew about noyb, so that was a good starting point, but that only got me a few things like my Google, Amazon, and Microsoft accounts. Next, I figured I’d get the big social media companies, like Facebook and Instagram, so I then discovered I can also use this process to delete my personal data from other third party apps that use my info, like Spotify and Tiktok. <br><br>That wasn’t enough for me personally, since I knew this was just a tiny scratch on the surface of all the other companies that have my info. It’s so hard to know who has your info, and what they have of yours. I’m sure there are millions of other companies and apps that have some piece of my info that I have no idea about. <br><br>I just got to thinking, “how did my shadow profile even get created in the first place? How am I allowed to just exist as a child and have all this data collected about me, unbeknownst to me? How do I know who has my personal info, and how do I prevent companies from collecting it in the first place?”<br><br>I realize this may be a dumb question, but how do you prevent companies from collecting your personal info in the first place?? Like I’m seriously curious now. I haven’t posted anything online as a child, and I’ve tried to keep my online interactions minimal for this very reason…somehow though I still manage to have this huge “shadow profile” that I have no control over. How my shadow profile has so much info of mine I have no idea, but I feel like as a child who didn’t really participate much on the internet I shouldn’t have some massive profile of my personal info. <br><br>I just don’t understand why companies are allowed to do this without your explicit consent. I don’t remember signing up for this personally, to have my personal info used as a profit. <br><br>That’s why I’m seeking opinions on how one personally can and should prevent their shadow profiles from being created in the first place.