How to protect your data privacy online

Colorado law requires websites to inform visitors if they collect personal data and let visitors see what's collected.

The big picture: Now, it also mandates that companies allow customers to opt out of their data being sold or used for targeted advertising.

Why it matters: The latest provision , which took effect July 1, is part of the Colorado Privacy Act approved in 2021 with the goal of making online data collection more transparent for users. And it applies to all websites that attract Colorado visitors.

What they're saying: "It's like wearing a T-shirt that says, 'Don't hug me,' and walking around the public so everyone can see it and make choices about whether to hug you or not," Justin Brookman, director of technology policy at Consumer Reports, told the Colorado Sun .

How it works: To universally opt out of data collection, you must enable a Global Privacy Control in your web browser that tells websites to back off.

• Enabling this feature works a little differently for each browser, advocates say .

Zoom in: In Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge, you need to download a browser extension, such as Privacy Badger or DuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials . You can then go to your extensions (puzzle piece near address bar) and click options to customize your settings.

• In Apple Safari, you also need a browser extension. DuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials is compatible but Privacy Badger is not.
• In Mozilla Firefox and DuckDuckGo, the option is built in. Click the menu and go to privacy and security to find website privacy preferences. Click on the option to not share data.

What we're watching: Right now the Colorado Attorney General's Office is focused on education. Websites found in violation will have 60 days to fix the issue, if not longer, before penalties are imposed.

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