Do You Know Where ALL Your Digital Exhaust Is?

Is the term "digital exhaust" the latest buzz, the latest term of the moment? Or is it something truly significant?

According to tech expert and Twitter/X influencer Vala Afshar, "The resume is dead. Your personal brand = digital footprint + digital exhaust." So, let's dive into this new term.

Digital exhaust has been described by NordVPN as "the sum total of the data generated as a byproduct of a person's digital interactions and activities. Just like the smoke exiting the tailpipe of a car, one's digital exhaust reveals activities, interests, and location. The term can also be referred to as data exhaust and digital breadcrumbs."

Some examples of digital exhaust are the following:

(1) Web browsing data such as websites visited, clickstreams, search queries, and browsing history.

(2) E-commerce data such as shopping patterns and viewed products.

(3) Mobile app data such as usage, location, and user interactions.

(4) Information generated by smart devices that are connected to the Internet such as health data from wearables, home thermostats, and home cameras.

While organizations may analyze digital exhaust with the goal to improve user experiences and customize products or services, many people have expressed concerns about privacy and security.

So, what do you think? Is there any way to cover up one's digital exhaust? And, when job-searching, is there a better way to present oneself than from one's digital exhaust?

Share this: The resume is dead. Your personal brand = digital footprint + digital exhaust. ~@ValaAfshar #DebbieLaskeysBlog #PersonalBranding

Image Credit: Twitter/X and Vala Afshar.