Forget Digital Footprints—We are Leaving Tire Tracks

Thursday, 01. 28. 2010  –  Category: T2 Communications

The phrase “digital footprint” is used regularly to describe the trail of information we are leaving in an increasing fashion online and in technology devices.  And while the very real threat that the information could fall into the wrong hands, we continue to find new and different means to share our life through 1s and 0s.  As our aversion to putting personal information out there lowers, it becomes more important to monitor the extent to which we are extending ourselves into the digital world.

Five to ten years ago, there were very few things that we were doing digitally.  It seems like so long ago, but there was a time when mail trumped e-mail, phone calls were the way to reach out to those across the country and we dedicated nearly no time to surfing the web.  But now, with portal devices and fiber internet connections at our disposal, we are using our doing so much more that I think the word footprint hardly does it justice.  Instead, we are leaving tire tracks from a particularly large (and likely not very fuel efficient) digital truck.

Personal Content
It used to be that you would never consider sharing any personal information in digital format.  Whether we were talking about your name, address or phone number; or more vital information like social security number, birthdays and passwords just weren’t offered up by users.  Now so much has changed.  The information is asked from so many places, from job applications to password protection and verification services.

It extends just beyond data points.  Personal information now includes thoughts, writings, tastes and feelings.  Take a look at a Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn page and you can find all of this and more readily available to those that look.

Financial Management
Now that we are comfortable with our digital access, many users now access their most important information online.  You can view banks statements and transfer funds.  IRAs can be opened and closed, not to mention altered, through a web browser.  Even taxes are completed and filed electronically, with our rebates coming through direct deposit.

There are also tracks left from our purchases.  Through online retailers like Amazon, we can view past purchases with a single click.  For those that shop online, the mystery behind our credit card information is almost non-existent.  A trend that used to seem impossible to happen now is nearly impossible to live without for most of us.

Communication
It is easy to point out the ways we can communicate digitally.  Skype, Facebook, Twitter, IM and text messages are just some examples that have gained mass popularity.  For many users, they even dominate more traditional tools like phone lines and cell phone, which are being digitized into VoIP connections and 3G networks.  With improved broadband connections, video conferencing and live streaming are only enhancing these services and are making them even more likely to gain traction in the years to come.

Location
If there was ever a trend that screams “Big Brother,” it is this one.  With tracking software and GPS indicators on most mobile devices, you can track and log your whereabouts whenever you like.  Sites like Four Square take it further, encouraging you to share your travels for prizes and awards.  The term “off the grid” never sounded so real.

Even for the most novice of users, the digital lifestyle is alive and well.  As new devices and software are creating, the interweaving of personal information will only continue to be necessary.  As it does, we may have to upgrade our digital tires to something a little bit bigger.

David Fleming is the Director of Corporate Communications for T2 Communications, a CornerWorld company.

Tags: 3G, David Fleming, digital, digital footprint, Facebook, GPS, identity, IRA, Twitter