---
title: "Protecting Your Online Privacy in the Digital Era"
description: "Practical privacy steps for content creators, checked against official guidance from CISA, the FTC and the platforms themselves. Settings, location, accounts, devices and ads."
canonical_url: "https://adultmodelprotection.com/blog/protecting-your-online-privacy-digital-era"
last_updated: "2026-11-06T04:31:27.325Z"
---

Apps and websites collect data about you, and some use it to personalize ads. For most people that is a nuisance. For content creators, adult performers and anyone with a public online brand, it matters more, because your work is public while your safety depends on keeping your private identity apart from it.

This guide covers practical steps you can take yourself: platform privacy settings, location sharing, account security, device encryption and ad settings. Where a step depends on a platform or an official recommendation, we link the source so you can check the current wording.

## Why Privacy Matters for Content Creators

Exposed personal details can lead to harassment and stalking, and they make impersonation and identity theft easier. Doxxing, where someone publishes your legal name, address or other details, is a recognised harm: Google accepts requests to remove doxxing pages from its search results, for example pages that show [a significant amount of aggregated personal information](https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/9673730) without a legitimate purpose. If your details are already out there, our [private information removal service](/services/private-information-removal) files removal requests for them.

The steps below reduce what strangers can learn about you in the first place.

## Review Your Privacy Settings

Reviewing the privacy settings on each platform takes a short time and limits what strangers can see. Start with the accounts you use most.

**Instagram.** A private account means only followers you approve can see your posts. Business and creator accounts may not offer the same option, so check what your account type allows. Turn off your [activity status](https://help.instagram.com/196883487377501/) so people cannot see when you are online, turn off location access for Instagram on your phone, and use Instagram's visibility and messaging controls to limit who can comment on your posts and message you.

**TikTok.** With a [private account](https://support.tiktok.com/en/account-and-privacy/account-privacy-settings/making-your-account-public-or-private) you approve the people who follow you, and others cannot Duet, Stitch, create stickers with or download your posts. TikTok's [privacy settings](https://support.tiktok.com/en/account-and-privacy/account-privacy-settings) also include direct message, Duet and Stitch controls; check them for who can find your account. For ads, see TikTok's help page on [how your ads are personalized](https://support.tiktok.com/en/account-and-privacy/personalized-ads-and-data/how-your-ads-are-personalized).

**X.** [Protecting your posts](https://help.x.com/en/safety-and-security/control-your-x-experience) means only your followers can see them. In the [discoverability settings](https://help.x.com/en/safety-and-security/email-and-phone-discoverability-settings) you control whether people can find you by your email address or phone number. Review the apps connected to your account under [Apps and sessions](https://help.x.com/en/managing-your-account/connect-or-revoke-access-to-third-party-apps) and revoke access for any you no longer use or trust.

## Restrict Location Sharing

Sharing your location can show where you live or work. Turn location access off for apps that do not need it, and keep it on only for apps that need it to work, such as maps.

Never enable "location history" features you do not need. Turn off location tagging before you post photos, and be careful with geotagged content that could reveal your location through its metadata.

## Turn On Multi-Factor Authentication

Multi-factor authentication (MFA, also called two-factor authentication) asks for a second step after your password, such as a code. CISA recommends that you [turn on MFA](https://www.cisa.gov/secure-our-world/turn-mfa) for every account or app that offers it, and especially for your [email, social media and financial accounts](https://www.cisa.gov/secure-our-world/use-strong-passwords).

Start with your email account, because it is where password resets go. Then do your bank and payment accounts, your creator accounts on any platform that offers MFA, your social media and your cloud storage.

![Five steps of a privacy check for creators: review privacy settings, limit location sharing, secure accounts with MFA and unique passwords, protect devices with encryption and updates, and request removal of what is already exposed.](/images/blog/blog-protecting-your-online-privacy-digital-era.webp)

*Steps one to four you can do yourself; step five is where removal requests come in.*

The code can be a text message or come from an authenticator app; use an authenticator app if the account offers one. Save your backup codes somewhere safe so you can get back in if you lose your phone, and keep your recovery phone number and email up to date.

## Use Strong, Unique Passwords

CISA's [password guidance](https://www.cisa.gov/secure-our-world/use-strong-passwords) is simple: use passwords of at least 16 characters, made of a random mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers and symbols. Avoid identifying information such as birthdays and pet names, and use a different strong password for each account. Change a password if you think it was exposed.

A password manager makes this practical: it generates, stores and fills in your passwords, and it can tell you when a password is weak or re-used. CISA notes that the password managers built into browsers are free and that others cost money. Never reuse a password between accounts; if one account is breached, the same password can be tried on all the others.

## Use a VPN With Care

A VPN can help on networks you do not trust. According to the [FTC](https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2018/02/market-vpn-app), a VPN makes your traffic appear to come from the VPN's servers, which hides it from the local network. It does not make you anonymous: it shifts trust from the network to the VPN provider, and the sites you visit can still track you through information you share with them.

Not every VPN app encrypts your traffic, so check that yours does. Many free VPN apps are paid for by advertising or by sharing your data with third parties, so research the provider, review the app's permissions and read its privacy policy before you install it.

## Check the Padlock and Use Public Wi-Fi Sensibly

Look for the lock symbol or "https" in the address bar before you enter personal information. A "Not Secure" warning or an "http://" address means the connection is not encrypted. A padlock means the connection is encrypted, not that the site is trustworthy: scammers also run encrypted sites.

According to the [FTC](https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/are-public-wi-fi-networks-safe-what-you-need-know), public Wi-Fi is usually safe today because most websites encrypt your information. The FTC's advice: look for the padlock, turn on automatic updates and use multi-factor authentication. You can also turn off auto-connect to open networks, turn off file sharing and AirDrop in public places, and use your phone's mobile hotspot if you prefer.

## Encrypt Your Devices

Encryption keeps your data unreadable if a phone or laptop is lost or stolen. Most current devices offer it; the main thing you control is a strong passcode or password.

- **iPhone:** [data protection](https://support.apple.com/guide/security/data-protection-overview-secf6276da8a/web) is built in, so set a strong passcode.
- **Android:** Android 7.0 and later support [file-based encryption](https://source.android.com/docs/security/features/encryption); set a strong screen lock.
- **Windows:** Windows offers [BitLocker](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/operating-system-security/data-protection/bitlocker/) on Pro and higher editions, and device encryption on supported devices of any edition.
- **Mac:** Macs with Apple silicon or a T2 chip encrypt data automatically, and [FileVault](https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/protect-data-on-your-mac-with-filevault-mh11785/mac) adds an extra layer. On older Macs, turn FileVault on.

## Keep Your Software Updated

Updates fix security holes. Turn on automatic updates for your operating system, update your apps, and do not delay security updates. Router firmware and browser extensions are easy to forget, so update those too.

## Clear Cookies and Choose Your Tools

Cookies and browsing history show what you do online. Clear them now and then, or use a browser or search engine that blocks trackers; read the provider's own privacy statement to see what it does and does not collect.

## Turn Off Personalized Ads

Turning off personalized ads changes the ads you see; it does not stop all data collection. It does limit how your activity is used to choose ads for you.

- **Google:** turn off personalized ads in [My Ad Center](https://support.google.com/My-Ad-Center-Help/answer/12155656).
- **Facebook and Instagram:** open [Ad preferences](https://www.facebook.com/help/247395082112892) in Meta's Accounts Center and limit how your profile and your activity from other businesses are used for ads.
- **TikTok:** open TikTok's ad settings, as described on its help page on how ads are personalized.
- **X:** open [Ads preferences](https://help.x.com/en/safety-and-security/privacy-controls-for-tailored-ads) in your settings and turn off Personalized ads.

## Stay Alert

Privacy settings and threats change, so check the privacy policies of the platforms you use when they update, and learn the common scams. Red flags include emails asking for personal information, unexpected links, login alerts you did not cause, and anyone asking for a verification code, especially people claiming to be from support. If something feels off, verify through the platform's official channels before you respond.

## Your Privacy Action Plan

**This week:** review the privacy settings on your main accounts, turn on MFA for your email and bank, and start using a password manager.

**This month:** turn off location access for apps that do not need it, check your device encryption, and turn off personalized ads on your accounts.

**Ongoing:** keep your software updated, watch your accounts for logins you do not recognise, and review privacy policies when they change.

If you are being harassed or threatened, contact the police. In the US the [CCRI Crisis Helpline](https://cybercivilrights.org/ccri-crisis-helpline/) supports people facing online abuse, and in the UK the [Revenge Porn Helpline](https://revengepornhelpline.org.uk/) helps with intimate images shared without consent.

## When Your Details or Content Are Already Online

The steps above reduce what strangers can learn about you. They do not remove what is already published. That is where Adult Model Protection helps: our team finds copies of your content and sends removal notices (up to 100 platform notices a month on Essentials, unlimited on Luxe and higher), and a person on our takedown team checks every notice before it is sent. On the Luxe and higher plans we also file removal requests for exposed personal information, such as your legal name or address next to your creator name. Every paid plan includes [search engine de-indexing](/services/search-engine-deindexing) of pages with your content.

The Free plan includes a quarterly web scan and a dashboard preview, but no takedowns. [Start Free Plan](https://app.adultmodelprotection.com/signup?redirect=/subscribe) to see what is already out there, or [compare the plans](/pricing).