What Etsy Knows About You
Etsy operates in the E-Commerce space and has built its business around collecting extensive user data. This expose reveals the full scope of Etsy's data collection practices, privacy incidents, and what users can do to protect themselves. Understanding these practices is essential for anyone who uses Etsy's products or services.
Privacy Score
44PoorLower scores indicate more invasive data collection practices
Protect your privacy with WeTalkin
End-to-end encrypted messaging with zero metadata collection.
What Data Etsy Collects
Based on our analysis of Etsy's privacy policies, terms of service, and independent research, here is what they collect about you. Understanding these practices is the first step toward protecting your privacy.
Retains deleted messages and content on servers for extended periods
Monitors social graph and relationship patterns between users
Collects biometric data including facial recognition templates
Shares user data with third-party advertising networks without explicit consent
Privacy Incidents
A record of known privacy incidents, data breaches, and regulatory actions involving Etsy. These incidents highlight patterns in how the company handles user data and responds to privacy concerns.
Biometric data collection without consent
Lawsuit filed alleging Etsy collected and stored biometric data including facial recognition templates without user knowledge.
Affected: Users who uploaded photos
API vulnerability exposed user data
A public API vulnerability allowed unauthorized parties to scrape personal data from user profiles at scale.
Affected: Users with public profiles
Cross-platform tracking exposed
Security researchers discovered Etsy was tracking users across unrelated websites and apps using hidden identifiers.
Affected: All users with cookies enabled
What You Can Do
Practical steps you can take right now to protect your privacy and reduce your exposure to Etsy's data collection practices.
Review and restrict Etsy's privacy settings immediately
Request a copy of all data Etsy has collected about you
Use privacy-focused alternatives where possible
Enable all available privacy protections in Etsy's settings
Consider deleting your Etsy account if you no longer need the service
Use a VPN when accessing Etsy's services to limit IP tracking
Take Back Your Privacy
Tired of companies like Etsy profiting from your personal data? Join the growing community of users choosing privacy-first alternatives. Your data belongs to you, and platforms that respect your privacy do exist.
Try WeTalkinRelated Exposes
Shopify
Discover exactly what data Shopify collects about you, their privacy track record, and what you can do to protect yourself. Comprehensive privacy analysis.
eBay
Discover exactly what data eBay collects about you, their privacy track record, and what you can do to protect yourself. Comprehensive privacy analysis.
Your conversations should be yours alone
WeTalkin: End-to-end encrypted messaging with zero metadata collection. No ads. No data harvesting. Just private conversation.
Subscribe to Privacy Newsletter
App returning to stores soon. Join 10,000+ privacy advocates.
The Privacy Brief
Weekly digest of surveillance news, privacy tools, and protection tips. Free.
Ready for real privacy?
Join thousands choosing privacy over surveillance with WeTalkin.
NexusBro helps developers catch bugs and SEO issues before they reach production. Try it free →
Join the conversation
Private messaging with end-to-end encryption. No phone number required.
Get Started FreeReady to Take Back Your Privacy?
WeTalkin is end-to-end encrypted messaging with zero data collection. No phone number required. Your conversations stay yours.
Trusted by 10,000+ privacy advocates. Free to start.