We live connected lives. We browse, download, share, and accept every moment we spend on the internet. And right there, with that quick click of “Accept terms and conditions,” lies one of the biggest problems of the digital age: digital consent.
Do we really know what we’re agreeing to? Do we understand the implications these seemingly small decisions have on our privacy?
Even though we virtually sign that invisible contract with every app or service we use, that doesn’t mean we’re truly protected. In fact, it’s often just the opposite.
Qondar: The tool that helps you understand and protect your digital footprint
Before we discuss the intricacies of digital consent, it’s worth pausing to introduce Qondar, our solution designed for people who want to better understand what happens to their data on the Internet and how to protect their digital footprint.
Qondar focuses on helping you continuously monitor your exposure to online threats, which is known in the cybersecurity world as CTEM (Continuous Threat Exposure Management).
In other words, Qondar gives you a real-time snapshot of what the internet knows about you, so you don’t have to rely solely on the privacy promises of the platforms you use.
Want to know what information about you is circulating online? Discover how Qondar can help you regain control of your data.
What is digital consent really?
The digital consent is the authorization we give, usually with a click, for an app, service, or website to use our personal data. This can include everything from our location and browsing habits to our photos, contacts, or messages.
In theory, this consent should be free, informed, specific, and revocable.. In theory, this consent should be free, informed, specific, and revocable. However, in practice, these requirements are rarely met. How many times have you read the terms and conditions before accepting them? That’s right, almost never.
The problem: Accepting does not always mean understanding
This is where comes in the concept of Digital informed consent.. Because it is not just about accepting but also doing so with full knowledge of the facts. And that means understanding what data is being collected, for what purpose, for how long, and who else may have access to it.
But the reality is different:
- Many terms are ambiguous or overly technical.
- Consent is presented in very long texts that are almost impossible to read without investing a lot of time.
- You can “accept all” with a single click, but to manage each permission, you’ll need to make additional clicks, drill down through menus, read external policies, etc.
This is not accidental; it is called Dark patterns, and they are techniques designed to manipulate you into making decisions that benefit the company, not you.
Why doesn’t digital consent guarantee security?
Even if you give your consent, that doesn’t mean your data is secure. There are several compelling reasons for this:
1. Non-transparent third parties
The data you share with a platform often doesn’t stay there and is shared with third parties:
advertisers, business partners, analytics platforms… And even if you agreed to the original terms of service, that doesn’t mean you’ve approved what these third parties do with your data.
2. Security violations
Data breaches are becoming more frequent. According to the IBM report “Cost of a Data Breach 2024″, the average cost of a data breach is $4.88 million,and often, the user doesn’t even realize their information has been compromised. Digital consent, no matter how clear, doesn’t protect against a cyberattack.
3. Policy changes
Many companies modify their privacy policies over timeand don’t always communicate clearly. What you consented to in 2021 may have changed in 2025. And if you don’t find out, your data may be being used in ways you never approved.
Digital informed consent is a basis, but not a guarantee
It’s not about demonizing digital consent, but understanding it for what it is: a part of the process, not a solution.. Digital informed consent is a step toward transparency, but as long as we continue to grant permission without knowing what it means, we will continue to give up control.
And what can you do as a user?
Here are some practical recommendations:
1. Don’t accept for the sake of accepting
Try to take a minute to read the key points before agreeing. If an app asks for access to your microphone or photos for no obvious reason, it’s a red flag.
2. Use digital surveillance tools
That’s where Qondar excels. With this solution, you can:
- To know what data of yours is publicly exposed.
- Receive alerts if your information appears in suspicious places (forums, dark web, etc.).
- Evaluate your digital exposure level and make informed decisions.
3. Review permissions periodically
On your phone, in your accounts, in your browser… From time to time, review what permissions you’ve granted and delete any that aren’t necessary.
4. Be wary of freebies
When a service is free, the product is often you,. that is, your data. Consider whether it’s worth giving up personal information in exchange for functionality you can get elsewhere, more securely.
Digital consent needs to evolve
We are at a time when legislation is advancing more slowly than technology.. Meanwhile, the user remains the weakest party in the agreement.
That is why Enthec is committed to solutions like Qondar, which inform and empower. It’s not about viewing the digital environment as a negative space but rather making it fairer, safer, and more humane.
Digital consent should be a free and conscious decision, not a trap camouflaged in small print.
Your data is part of you, your reflection in the digital world, and as such, it deserves to be protected. Accepting terms and conditions should not be an act of faith but a conscious choice.. You need tools that help you see beyond the click to do that.
Start protecting your digital identity today with Qondar. Analyze your exposure and take control of your privacy. Contact us and discover everything you can do.