The term data shadow is primarily used in the areas of big data and smart data, cybercrime and cybersecurity as well as the digital society. A data shadow occurs when a large amount of information about a person is collected when using digital services - for example when surfing the internet, shopping online or using apps - without them always being aware of it. This collected data remains invisible, but constantly accompanies you in your everyday digital life.
For example: People who use a fitness app often share more than just their step count. Location data, sleeping times and even purchasing behaviour are recorded and stored in the background. Even if you deliberately do not disclose certain data, your usage behaviour leaves traces that grow into a data shadow.
For companies, the data shadow means that they automatically collect, store and often analyse a great deal of information about customers and users. This harbours opportunities for better offers - but also risks for privacy. The conscious handling of data shadows is therefore particularly important in a digital society in order to guarantee both benefits and data protection.
Deutsch 
English (UK)