Take Back Control of Your Online Shopping Data
▼ Summary
– Online shopping data is often stored long-term by retailers and shared with third parties, creating privacy vulnerabilities and risks of breaches.
– The criminal marketplace for stolen data has grown significantly, with millions of accounts listed for sale in recent years.
– Data brokers collect and sell personal information, which can be used for tracking or dangerous purposes if misused.
– Criminals use shopping data to identify and target individuals for fraud or theft, often combining it with AI-enhanced phishing tactics.
– Consumers can take steps to delete or limit their data using privacy laws and account settings, though some information may remain due to legal or technical reasons.
The convenience of online shopping comes with a hidden price, your personal data. Every click, purchase, and saved payment method leaves a digital footprint that can be stored, shared, and even sold, often without your full awareness or consent. Understanding where this information goes and how to manage it is essential for protecting your privacy in an increasingly data-driven marketplace.
Retailers frequently retain details like purchase histories, shipping addresses, and account credentials for extended periods, sometimes indefinitely, unless legally required to delete them. Many also share customer information with third-party organizations for purposes such as targeted advertising or data analytics. This practice creates significant privacy challenges, since once data is shared, it becomes nearly impossible to track or control.
Ian Cohen, CEO of LOKKER, highlights a critical concern: very few companies thoroughly vet how their partners handle shared data. This lack of oversight increases the risk of breaches and misuse. The underground market for stolen information has grown dramatically; in 2024 alone, over 6.8 million accounts were listed for sale, and by early 2025, nearly 2.5 million compromised accounts were available at a single time.
Data brokers play a central role in this ecosystem by collecting and selling personal details to advertisers and other firms. Recent investigations reveal how easily location data purchased from brokers can be used to track individuals, even government employees, demonstrating the serious risks involved when sensitive information falls into the wrong hands.
Even seemingly minor shopping data can be valuable to criminals. Information about high-value purchases, when combined with leaked addresses, can help bad actors identify potential targets for fraud, identity theft, or physical crimes. For example, a July 2025 breach at Louis Vuitton exposed names, contact details, and purchase histories of thousands of customers.
Cybercriminals often combine shopping data with phishing techniques and other leaked details to build comprehensive profiles of their targets. With the help of AI, these personalized scams are becoming more convincing and harder to detect, increasing the likelihood of successful attacks.
Thankfully, individuals have tools to regain some control over their digital footprint. Legal frameworks like the GDPR in Europe and the CCPA in California provide mechanisms for requesting data deletion. Though U.S. protections are not as uniform as in the EU, a growing number of states are adopting stronger consumer privacy laws.
You can take several practical steps to limit your exposure. Review and adjust the privacy settings in your shopping accounts. Many platforms allow you to view, download, or delete stored data directly.
It’s important to note that some data may be retained due to legal requirements, transaction processing, or backup systems. Still, exercising your rights can significantly reduce your digital trail.
Data deletion requests are rising sharply, up 82% year-over-year according to DataGrail, reflecting growing public demand for privacy. As Dr. Joy Wu of UBC Sauder School of Business observes, understanding what people value about privacy helps companies design better products and services that respect user preferences. Taking proactive steps today can help you shop more safely tomorrow.
(Source: HelpNet Security)
