Personal Privacy Audit Checklist (2026)
A comprehensive privacy audit checklist to evaluate and improve your personal digital privacy practices across all devices and services.
Device Privacy Audit
Smartphones ☐ Review app permissions — revoke unnecessary access to location, contacts, camera, microphone ☐ Disable advertising ID tracking ☐ Enable full-disk encryption (default on modern iOS and Android) ☐ Review location history and disable if unnecessary ☐ Audit installed apps — delete unused ones
Computers ☐ Enable full-disk encryption (BitLocker, FileVault, LUKS) ☐ Review browser extensions — remove unnecessary ones ☐ Clear browser data regularly or use auto-clear ☐ Disable telemetry where possible ☐ Review startup programs for unwanted tracking software
Smart Home Devices ☐ Audit voice assistant recordings and delete history ☐ Review smart TV viewing data settings ☐ Check IoT device privacy policies ☐ Segment IoT devices on a separate network
Online Account Privacy Audit
Social Media ☐ Review privacy settings on all platforms ☐ Limit profile visibility to friends/connections only ☐ Disable facial recognition tagging where available ☐ Review third-party app connections and revoke unnecessary ones ☐ Download and review your data archive from each platform
Search and Browsing ☐ Switch to a privacy-respecting search engine (DuckDuckGo, Brave Search) ☐ Enable Do Not Track headers (limited effectiveness but signals intent) ☐ Use a VPN for general browsing ☐ Block third-party cookies
Email ☐ Consider migrating to an encrypted email provider ☐ Use email aliases for different services ☐ Unsubscribe from unnecessary mailing lists ☐ Disable email tracking pixel loading
Financial ☐ Enable MFA on all financial accounts ☐ Review connected services (Plaid, etc.) and revoke unnecessary connections ☐ Use a unique email address for financial accounts
Data Security & Emergency Audit
Credential Security ☐ Set up a password manager with a strong master password ☐ Enable MFA on all important accounts ☐ Store MFA backup codes securely ☐ Review and rotate old passwords
Data Backup & Recovery ☐ Verify encrypted backups exist for important data ☐ Test backup restoration ☐ Set up ZeroLatch dead man's switch for emergency credential access ☐ Share encryption passwords securely with emergency contact
Digital Footprint Reduction ☐ Google yourself — request removal of unwanted personal information ☐ Use data removal services (DeleteMe, Kanary) to remove from data brokers ☐ Close unused online accounts ☐ Review and contain your digital footprint
Conduct this audit quarterly to maintain your privacy posture. Each quarter, pick one area to improve.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or technical advice. ZeroLatch is a software service, not a law firm. We recommend consulting with qualified professionals regarding your specific estate planning, data privacy, and security needs.
Protect Your Digital Legacy
Set up your own zero-knowledge encrypted dead man's switch in minutes. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Get Started →