For over 16 years, I’ve published information-based content online under
a pen name. This isn’t a branding choice it’s a boundary. My pseudonym protects
my privacy, shields my advocacy work, and allows me to speak freely without
fear of retaliation. But recently, that boundary was breached.
Unwanted Attention and Digital
Exposure
It started with hostile comments on my personal Facebook page. These
weren’t random trolls they felt targeted, personal. I hadn’t shared my page
publicly, nor was it indexed by search engines. So how did someone connect my
real identity to my advocacy work?
Curious and concerned, I began searching for myself online. What I found
was unsettling: an old Twitter account I created in 2009 now absorbed into Elon
Musk’s rebranded platform, X was still live. It displayed both my real name and
pen name, along with links to my blog and other private details. I hadn’t
touched that account in years, yet it had quietly become a breadcrumb trail to
my identity.
X’s Shifting Privacy Landscape
What disturbed me most wasn’t just the exposure it was the platform’s
role in enabling it. X’s privacy policy has undergone significant changes since
Musk’s acquisition, and many of those changes erode user protections. According
to Mashable’s breakdown of X’s updated privacy policy, the platform now
collects more personal data and shares it in broader, less transparent ways.
Even biometric data is on the table.
The default settings on X make most user information public unless
manually changed. That means old accounts ones you may have forgotten can still
be indexed, scraped, and weaponized against you.
Taking Control of Your Digital
Footprint
After recovering my login credentials, I immediately updated my banner,
removed personal images, and deleted all private links. But the lesson was
clear: if you value your privacy, you must proactively audit your online
presence. Search for yourself. Review every account. Delete what no longer
serves you or worse, exposes you.
This isn’t paranoia. It’s protection.
The Cost of Speaking Freely
In today’s climate, freedom of speech is under scrutiny. Advocacy work,
especially when it challenges dominant narratives, can provoke backlash. If
someone disagrees with your research or opinions, they may not debate you they
may try to silence you. That’s why maintaining digital boundaries is not just
wise it’s essential.
Final Thoughts
Platforms like X have evolved from microblogging tools into sprawling
data ecosystems. What you shared in 2009 might still be visible in 2025. And if
your advocacy relies on anonymity, that visibility can be dangerous. Privacy
isn’t just a preference it’s a right. But in the age of algorithmic exposure,
it’s also a responsibility.
