Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information (Certain States)
This section outlines how individuals can take control of their personal data, focusing on privacy rights, data collection practices, and advertising usage. In several U.S. states, including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Virginia, legislation grants consumers enhanced protections. These laws provide greater visibility into how personal information is gathered, shared, and utilized, empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their data when interacting with online platforms and digital services.
Providing clear guidance and accessible tools for managing privacy is essential for building and maintaining trust. Digital services often collect data to improve functionality, enhance user experience, and deliver content or advertising that aligns with individual preferences. In some circumstances, these activities may be considered the sale or sharing of personal information or the processing of data for targeted marketing purposes. Where allowed, users can choose to opt out of certain practices, restricting how their data is used for advertising or personalized content.
Effectively managing privacy settings may require adjusting configurations across multiple devices and platforms. Users may need to update account settings, browser preferences, app permissions, and third-party consents to achieve comprehensive control over their information. Understanding the mechanisms of data collection and processing is key to ensuring that privacy choices are applied consistently and that individuals maintain oversight over how their information is handled.
When sharing data with affiliated companies or external partners, users can often limit the use of their information, especially for promotional or advertising purposes. These options are generally controlled through account preferences, device configurations, or platform-specific privacy tools. Adjusting these controls enables users to balance personalized experiences with privacy protection, allowing access to essential services while reducing unnecessary data sharing.
Tracking technologies, such as cookies and similar tools, are commonly employed to monitor user behavior on digital platforms and support advertising efforts. Third-party partners may also gather information regarding browsing habits, device identifiers, and engagement patterns. Users can manage or restrict such tracking by using browser controls, consent management platforms, or privacy-enhancing technologies like Global Privacy Control, which can signal limits on data collection automatically.
It is important to note that privacy preferences may not be uniform across devices or browsers. Settings applied on one device may not carry over to others, and actions like clearing cookies, resetting browsers, or switching devices can remove previously saved preferences. Regularly reviewing and updating privacy settings ensures that controls remain effective across all platforms and devices.
Mobile operating systems often include tools to limit tracking and manage the use of device identifiers for advertising. These features give users additional control over how their data is collected and shared across apps and third-party services. Industry-supported mechanisms also exist to manage advertising preferences across multiple organizations, though their effectiveness depends on the technology and participation level of the companies involved.
Privacy practices can evolve over time due to changes in laws, regulations, or technology. Updates to policies are communicated with clear effective dates, enabling users to stay informed about data handling practices and available options. Continuing to use services after such updates generally indicates acknowledgment and acceptance of the revised practices.
By actively engaging with privacy settings and understanding the tools available, individuals can make informed decisions about the collection and use of their personal data. Regularly reviewing and adjusting preferences across accounts, devices, and platforms helps maintain control over information, particularly in relation to advertising and promotional activities, while ensuring continued access to the full capabilities of digital services.