ONLINE retailers might be a convenient way to shop - but did you know you are also giving them access to a lot of your private details?

Not just your name and address but also details like your friends' emails, your clothes size, your social media handles and your credit history might be collected. 

A cyber security expert has analysed which online retailers in the UK use the most private data.

According to VPNOverview, despite the ease of shopping from the comfort of your home, online shopping comes with its own hazards, and your online privacy is always at risk.

1. Amazon

Overall, Amazon was found to be the site with the most points of data collected. The online retailer giant took a staggeringly high £23.19 billion of revenue in 2021 in the UK alone.

Amazon’s website collects 60 different pieces of personal information, which ranges from name, address, and phone number to Alexa voice recordings, your friend’s emails, and even your credit history information from credit bureaus.

2. AO

The site is responsible for collecting 38 elements of your private information.

The data collected ranges from expected info like your name and address to your preferences, the size of your family, and how affluent you are. 

3. John Lewis

VPNOverview found that John Lewis collects 31 elements, including your social media handle, clothing size, and identification documents.

Their privacy policy mentions that your social media username will be known to them if you interact with the company through those platforms.

4. Currys

The homeware appliance and technology online shop collected 29 pieces of information from their customers, the most notable being subscription services and your financial position.

They also collect the date and time of texts and calls you receive on their network and your location at the time they take place.

5. ASOS

This clothing retailer collects 20 kinds of personal data, including basic information, records your body shape and size, screen name, saved items, and past purchases.

A representative from VPNOverview said: “Although some of the information being collected is essential to the site’s functionality, having your financial status or the number of family members you have to be shared with faceless corporations can be rather alarming.

"In most cases, customers have no idea where that information could end up or how it could be used."

VPNOverview advises disabling and deleting third-party cookies, thinking twice before you share personal details and using a VPN.

VPNOverview is a team of cybersecurity and privacy professionals that offer online guidance.