In the digital age, every click, search, and social media post leaves a mark. These marks, collectively known as a digital footprint, have become an inescapable part of daily life—one that carries both opportunity and risk. Recent events and new international standards highlight just how vulnerable personal data has become, and what individuals, companies, and governments are doing to protect it.
On August 29, 2025, a woman in Vietnam received a message from phone number 0838.606.13, requesting a transfer of 200 million VND. She didn’t hesitate: she immediately reported the suspicious request to the police, according to Nhịp sống thị trường. The incident is hardly unique; it’s just one example of how cybercriminals exploit the digital footprints people leave behind. As personal data becomes increasingly intertwined with online activities, the risks of exposure and fraud grow by the day.
So what exactly is a digital footprint? Security company Norton describes it as the sum of all data traces left by users while navigating the Internet. This includes active contributions—like posting on social media, filling out forms, or commenting on forums—and passive traces, such as cookies tracking browsing history, IP addresses, and other background interactions. As Kaspersky points out, these footprints are not a new concept, but their importance has skyrocketed as more of life moves online. Even seemingly trivial details, like browsing habits or social media interactions, can be pieced together to form a comprehensive map of a person’s identity, preferences, and routines.
Cybercriminals are well aware of this. According to Kaspersky, they often don’t just pick random victims; instead, they target individuals who have exposed significant personal information online. By combining digital footprints with data from breaches or information brokers, criminals can craft highly personalized attacks. These might take the form of phishing emails, fake phone calls, or even elaborate schemes to steal identities or drain bank accounts. The NCC Group emphasizes that this approach allows attackers to tailor their tactics, making scams more convincing and harder to detect.
But it isn’t just criminals paying attention. Governments and businesses are stepping up efforts to protect citizens in the realm of digital payments. On August 28, 2025, various Vietnamese government agencies and private companies joined forces to enhance consumer protection in digital transactions, recognizing the growing sophistication of online fraud.
Meanwhile, the challenge of safeguarding personal data isn’t limited to individuals or single countries. As artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT become more popular, the issue of data privacy has taken on a global dimension. As of late August 2025, ChatGPT is restricted or outright banned in 20 countries, reports Visual Capitalist. The reasons vary: government censorship, strict privacy laws, or business decisions by OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT. In China, for example, the so-called “Great Firewall” blocks ChatGPT entirely, and even using a VPN to bypass the ban is legally risky. Russia, Belarus, and Hong Kong lack OpenAI support, while countries like Iran, North Korea, Syria, and Cuba have imposed absolute bans due to tight internet controls.
Yet, the allure of AI is so strong that many users in these countries still find ways to circumvent restrictions. The cat-and-mouse game between users and regulators underscores the enormous pull of new technology—and the complex questions it raises about privacy, consent, and digital rights.
Against this backdrop of growing concern, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has taken a major step to improve transparency and accountability in personal data management. On August 29, 2025, ISO released a groundbreaking new standard: ISO/IEC TS 27560. This technical specification aims to redefine how organizations collect, record, and manage consent for processing personally identifiable information (PII) worldwide, according to VietQ.vn.
The heart of ISO/IEC TS 27560 is its unified, interoperable, and extensible structure for consent records. This means that any organization handling personal data—whether a social network, a bank, or a healthcare provider—now has a clear, standardized way to document and manage user consent. The standard refers to individuals as “PII principals,” emphasizing their central role in controlling their own data. It also lays out a secure protocol for exchanging consent information between different systems, which is vital for maintaining consistency and transparency when data is shared or transferred.
Perhaps most importantly, the standard details the full lifecycle of consent records. This includes everything from the initial collection of consent, to managing changes, storing records securely, and deleting them when they are no longer needed. Such thorough guidance helps organizations comply with global privacy laws, like the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which require clear and auditable proof of user consent.
One of the most notable features of ISO/IEC TS 27560 is that it’s available for free. This move is expected to accelerate adoption, especially among small and medium-sized businesses or organizations in developing countries that might otherwise struggle to afford international standards. By leveling the playing field, ISO aims to make best practices in consent management accessible to all, fostering a culture of trust and transparency in the digital economy.
For individuals, these changes offer tangible benefits. With a standardized framework, people can better understand how their data is used and exercise greater control over their digital lives. This is especially crucial in sensitive areas like biometric data, where misuse can have far-reaching consequences. For businesses, adopting the new standard signals a strong commitment to user privacy, which can help build customer trust and loyalty in an era when data breaches and privacy scandals are all too common.
Of course, no system is foolproof. As experts from Norton and Kaspersky advise, individuals must remain proactive in protecting themselves. This means regularly reviewing privacy settings on social media, deleting unnecessary personal information, using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and considering VPNs to mask IP addresses when browsing on public networks. Regularly deleting cookies, browsing in private mode, and steering clear of suspicious links in emails or messages can also help reduce the risk of being tracked or targeted.
In the end, the digital footprint each person leaves behind is both a mirror and a map—a reflection of who they are and a potential guide for those with less-than-honorable intentions. As international standards like ISO/IEC TS 27560 gain traction and awareness grows, the hope is that the balance will tip toward greater privacy, security, and individual empowerment. The path forward won’t be easy, but with vigilance, innovation, and cooperation, there’s reason to believe a safer, more transparent digital world is within reach.