Interview with a Data Detox-er

Detoxing from bad data habits, it turns out, is an eight-step process.

Web users hoping to sober up can visit the Data Detox Bar at The Glass Room to brush up on privacy best-practices and leave a lesser imprint online.

“We give you eight steps to reduce the data and traces you’re leaving online and improve your own personal privacy,” says Allister, who works behind the bar and administers advice.

“It’s all very basic,” he adds. “It’s advice for anybody to use — there’s nothing technical.”

The program teaches individuals how to enable the most robust privacy settings on platforms like Facebook and Twitter; how to wield browser plug-ins that thwart trackers; and how to reduce the amount of personal data about you online. There’s a special portion dedicated to fixing bad data habits on mobile devices.

“It’s about making yourself a much leaner, a less data-rich target,” Allister says. “But it’s also a call for action.”