Data Privacy Day: Why Should You Care?

Why should you care about data privacy?

Your online activity is a hotbed of information. This includes your interests, online activities and even offline movements (think geotagging or location tagging on your phone). Websites, apps, devices and services collect this info to complete a frighteningly accurate picture of you as a consumer. 

Companies track information about you internally and sometimes sell your information to data brokers. They create massive repositories of information that they package and resell to third parties. Unfortunately, these data reservoirs may have lax cybersecurity. That’s a cybercriminal’s dream.

Once your private data is out of your control, you can’t do anything to protect it. But you have a right to data privacy. You can take control and manage your data.

What’s the purpose of Data Privacy Day?

Data Privacy Day, or Data Protection Day, is an international recognition of data practices. It educates people about safeguarding their data and encourages businesses to respect personal data privacy. It marks the anniversary of the opening signature of the Council of Europe’s Convention 108, the first legally binding international agreement addressing individual privacy and data protection.

Growing cyber threats and data exposure

With the surge in connectivity, including artificial intelligence (AI) tools, vehicles and smart devices, cyberattacks have become everyday occurrences. Governments, private businesses and individuals have increased their cybersecurity awareness in response. But part of data protection is making sure it doesn’t get released in the first place.

Your privacy matters

You have a fundamental human right to data privacy; that’s the takeaway of Data Privacy Day. Forward-thinking companies recognize the importance of robust data protection. When selecting devices and service providers, choose companies with encryption and built-in privacy protections. If you’re sharing information as part of a survey, ask if they anonymize your data so it can’t be traced back to you.

The move toward standardized compliance

Some companies have adopted the principles of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), a law that safeguards personal data privacy in the European Union. It was passed in 2016, laying the foundation for business data handling and a privacy-oriented culture.

California later passed a similar law in 2018, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). The CCPA gives California residents more control over their data, making it the first major U.S. law that put data privacy at the forefront. Even if the CCPA doesn’t apply to you, it’s a helpful outline for understanding what data privacy protections are.

For example, the CCPA guarantees the following protections for consumers:

• Businesses must tell people what personal information they collect, why they collect it and who they share it with.

• Businesses must tell clients about the personal information they’ve collected about them.

• Consumers have the right to request that a business delete their personal information.

• Consumers can opt out of the sale of their personal information, and businesses can’t discriminate against them if they exercise this right.

Tips for personal data protection

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the National Security Alliance have these data privacy tips:

• Use complex and unique passwords, like passphrases. They’re harder to crack. An example might be “TwinklingDonutSquareHand.” Also, consider using a password manager.

• Use two-factor authentication. This security feature requires two forms of authentication, like a password and a fingerprint scan.

• Check the data that’s collected and shared before you download an app. You might be surprised by how much data you relinquish on yourself and your contacts.

• Use secure Wi-Fi and virtual private networks (VPNs) when accessing or sending personal information. Public Wi-Fi networks are often unsecured, making it easy for hackers to swipe your data. A VPN encrypts your data and creates a private network from a public Wi-Fi connection.

• Be wary of unexpected emails that sound urgent. Phishing scams are a common way for hackers to steal your data.

• Update your software, including web browsers and devices. Updates often include fixes for security flaws that could expose your data.

• Be careful of what you share on social media, in texts and with chatbots. Avoid sharing sensitive information.

• Use antivirus software to protect your devices from viruses, malware and ransomware used to steal your data.

• Encrypt your data. Encryption turns data into code that is unreadable without a password or cipher. (VPNs and malware usually encrypt your data.)

• Limit tracking software by using VPNs, browser plug-ins or incognito mode to reduce the amount of data companies can collect about you.

• Reboot your mobile devices weekly or more to erase eavesdropping programs. Zero-click attacks don’t require you to take action to activate them. Messaging apps are a favorite exploit because the apps are designed to accept incoming data like texts, calls and videos. Cybercriminals embed malware inside the incoming messages.

• Check and review your privacy settings often. Visit the National Cybersecurity Alliance to learn how to update your privacy settings for popular devices and services.

  
  

Remember that no strategy is fail-safe, but these steps can significantly reduce the risks. Data Privacy Day is a reminder to create a safer digital environment. Keep your data private and stay cybersafe out there!