The internet once felt like a tool. It was something we logged onto. Now, it feels more like a reflection of who we are. You post a photo, upload a video, or tap “Accept All” effortlessly, and it feels like second nature. In that ease lies a subtle trade-off: the more we share, the more pieces of ourselves we give away.
Deleting a tweet or removing a post might feel like reclaiming control, but that’s mostly an illusion. Behind the scenes, much of what we share online never truly disappears. Platforms archive, analyze, and monetize your data, turning our digital lives into their most valuable asset.
The Dark Side of Data Collection
It’s time to get real: most major platforms don’t treat your data like it belongs to you. From social media giants to third-party tools, user data is collected, stored, and often sold to the highest bidder. Even after you delete a post or a page on your site, it’s rarely actually gone. The internet, as they say, never forgets.
What’s worse is that this data collection intent isn’t always malicious, it’s become normalized. Websites ask for more information than necessary. Plugins suck up user data without transparency. The average person is unaware of just how exposed they truly are.
“Site owners are faced with compliance requirements, third-party risks, and data security threats, while everyday users face invisible tracking, data monetization, and inconsistent protections,” said Brandon Eastham, DreamHost’s Compliance Manager. “The biggest challenge is balancing the convenience of modern, data-driven tools and the need for control, transparency, and trust.”
But there’s good news: not every company plays by those rules. Some, like DreamHost, are built on a fundamentally different philosophy. One where privacy is a right, not an optional feature.
DreamHost: Built on Privacy and Control
At DreamHost, we believe in the power of owning your digital footprint.
“DreamHost makes privacy the default,” Eastham said. “From registration data privacy to our no-selling and no-mining data stance, and putting transparency first, we help people own their digital presence.”
Unlike platforms that treat your content as theirs the moment you upload it, we empower you to control what you put online, and how it’s handled. That means no mining, no selling, and no funny business with your data. It also means we actively build tools and policies that put you in the driver’s seat.
“Privacy is the customer’s right to control their digital presence without exploitation or unwanted exposure, rooted in open-source values of transparency and empowerment,” Eastham added. “We want the web to be free and user-controlled.”
From free SSL/TLS certificates for website visitors to free Registration Data privacy for our customers, we make protecting privacy the default, not an upsell.
What Does “Digital Footprint Control” Really Mean?
Privacy at DreamHost is a promise. We believe everyone should have the right to control their digital identity without unwanted surveillance or exploitation. That includes making it harder for threat actors to track your site’s visitors, making sure law enforcement only gets access with proper legal process, and ensuring our third-party partners meet our high standards.
“We allow customers to have control over their digital footprint and their content,” Eastham said. “If you close your account and don’t want us to hold on to your data anymore, delete your account. That’s your data. It’s not ours. We’ll keep what we’re legally required to, but nothing more.”
Compare that to uploading a photo on social media, where you’ve effectively handed over the rights to your image. That embarrassing family vacation photo? Oops. It could live on a server for decades. And that “harmless” personality quiz? Also, oops. It may be training AI models without your knowledge.
The Invisible Risks You Might Not See
Let’s talk about risk. Not the obvious stuff like hacks, but the quieter dangers lurking in the background.
As a website owner, collecting too much information—whether for marketing, analytics, or forms—can backfire. Every extra field becomes a liability. It’s not just about what you do with the data; it’s also about where it goes after it leaves your site.
Remember that “easy” plugin you installed? Do you know if it’s tracking your users or sending data overseas? Many people don’t.
“Avoid collecting data just in case you might need it,” Eastham advised. “Anonymize where possible, be transparent if you use analytics or ad networks, and respect users’ data rights.”
And while convenience is tempting, it often comes at the cost of control. Big tech thrives on that quiet trade-off. But at DreamHost, we see your data as your responsibility, and we don’t want it unless we absolutely need it. Data is power, and we believe that power belongs to you.
DreamHost’s Commitment: Privacy Without Compromise
Privacy isn’t something we tack on, it’s something we build in from day one.
Free domain privacy (Registration Data protection) ensures your personal info stays yours. We maintain global compliance with the world’s strictest privacy laws (General Data Protection Regulation and General Data Protection Regulation), even in places where they’re not required. We’re transparent about law enforcement requests. If we get one for your data, we’ll tell you (unless legally gagged). And if a breach ever occurs, we notify affected users without delay.
“Privacy of the end user is baked in,” said Charles Johnson, DreamHost’s Compliance Associate. “SSL/TLS is free, Registration Data privacy is free, and we only disclose customer data when legally obligated. Similarly, per our Privacy Policy, we strive to inform our customers of such disclosures whenever permitted by law.”
“We fought an overreaching Department of Justice demand in 2017 because privacy isn’t just a policy for us, it’s a principle,” Johnson said.
The Future of Privacy: It Starts With You
Now, let’s turn our attention to AI. Your data is more valuable than ever, but not to us. At DreamHost, we have internal rules to ensure your data isn’t fed into training datasets or used by third-party AI systems. We don’t sell it, and we don’t analyze it for profit. We also never treat your personal data as a business asset.
“The answer to this is straightforward,” Johnson said. “We don’t sell your data. We don’t feed your data into internal AI systems. We don’t use personally identifiable information for anything beyond basic marketing.”
“We build security into every layer of our infrastructure,” added Glen Jackson, DreamHost’s Head of Security. “All data in transit is protected with TLS 1.2+ using modern ciphers. We enforce least-privilege access, isolate customer environments, and offer panel 2FA and SSH key authentication to ensure trust is never assumed and privacy is always prioritized.”
Still, true privacy is a shared responsibility. As a creator, developer, or business owner, you also play a role. That means:
- Don’t collect more data than necessary
- Be transparent about cookies and analytics
- Use encryption and HTTPS by default
- Keep your software updated
- Respect your users’ right to opt out
Above all, choose service providers who share your values.
The Bottom Line: Privacy = Power
Privacy isn’t dead—it’s evolving. In this new digital landscape, being informed and intentional is your best defense.
“Users should have real control over their data, and trust will be earned through transparency and security,” Jackson said. “Privacy isn’t dead, it’s evolving, and the internet’s best version is open, encrypted, and private.”
At DreamHost, we’re working toward a future where the internet is free, open, secure, and private by design. Not because regulators demand it, but because people deserve it.
So if you care about where your data goes, who sees it, and what happens to it, invest in tools and platforms that put your privacy first.
In the end, your digital footprint is your identity. Nothing is more powerful than owning it.