By Thandie M
What is data privacy
Data privacy — a subset of data security — is primarily concerned with information privacy and governing how user data is collected and distributed online. It also involves proper handling of sensitive data including: personal data, intellectual property, and confidential data.
With the massive influx of personal information that has become available online, data is now so valuable that it’s considered the “new oil mine”. Meaning that the laws that govern privacy and data protection are crucial to protecting clients, and ultimately, your organisation’s success.
Importance of data protection
Privacy is the right of an individual to be free from uninvited surveillance. A democratic society must allow a person to safely exist, and freely express their opinion online.
Each passing year, threats to personal privacy are exacerbated. Changes to privacy laws are being fuelled in part by growing public uneasiness surrounding unfettered data accumulation and usage.
Data privacy on your Apps
Most apps ask for access to personal information — such as geographic location, contact list, photos, and so on — before allowing access to their services. One must be judicious when distributing personal information.
Data Privacy and Social Media
The extent to which users and social media platform administrators can access user profiles has become a topic of ethical and legal consideration. The legality, awareness, and boundaries of subsequent privacy violations are critical concerns during this era of rapid technological advancement.
User concerns relating to privacy have spiked in recent years. Data breaches have alarmed many users and forced them to rethink their relationships to social media.
Given today’s social media privacy issues and concerns, skilled cybersecurity professionals will play a vital role in protecting social media users’ data and personal information.
Data Privacy Day
Millions of people are unaware of how their personal information is being aggregated, analysed, and shared in today’s digital society. Data Privacy Day aims to inspire dialogue and empower individuals and companies to act.
Data Privacy Day — observed annually on January 28th — began in the United States and Canada in 2008 as an extension of the Data Protection Day celebration in Europe. Data Protection Day commemorates the January 28th, 1981 signing of Convention 108, the first legally binding international treaty dealing with privacy and data protection.
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