Digital footprint or digital shadow refers to one’s unique set of traceable digital activities, actions, contributions and communications manifested on the Internet or on digital devices.^[1][2][3][4] Digital footprints can be classified as either passive or active. The former is composed of a user’s web-browsing activity and information stored as cookies, while the latter is often released deliberately by a user with the intent of sharing information on websites or social media.^[5] While the term usually applies to an individual person, digital footprint can also refer to a business, organization or corporation.^[6]

The use of a digital footprint has both positive and negative consequences. On one hand, it is the subject of many privacy issues.^[7] For example, without an individual’s authorization, strangers are able to piece together information about that individual by simply using search engines, and corporations are also able to produce customized ads based on browsing history. On the other hand, others can reap the benefits by profiting off their digital footprint as social media influencers. Furthermore, employers use a candidate’s digital footprint for online vetting and assessing fit due to its reduced cost and accessibility—between two equal candidates, a candidate with a positive digital footprint may have an advantage. As technology usage becomes more widespread, even children are generating larger digital footprints with potential positive and negative consequences such as college admissions. Since it is hard to not have a digital footprint, it is in one’s best interest to create a positive one.

Reference: Wikipedia