A digital footprint refers to the trail of data that an individual creates through their actions online. It includes websites visited, searches made, social media posts, and other online activities that leave a traceable record. There are two types of digital footprints: active and passive.

• Active digital footprint: This consists of data that a user intentionally creates and submits online, such as social media posts, online form completions, or phone calls.

• Passive digital footprint: This is composed of data that a user leaves behind unintentionally on the internet, such as website visits, searches, and online purchases. Passive footprints are harder to track and manage because they can be collected without user consent.

Digital footprints can be used to track a persons online activities and devices. They are not a digital identity or passport, but the content and metadata collected can impact internet privacy, trust, security, digital reputation, and recommendation. As the digital world expands and integrates with more aspects of life, ownership and rights concerning data become increasingly important. It is worth considering what your digital footprint says about you, as it can be used for both positive and negative purposes.