Data privacy is the right of individuals to determine for themselves when, how and with whom personal information about them is shared. It encompasses everything from a person’s name, birthdate and Social Security number to their browsing history and other online activities. Data privacy also includes their right to correct inaccurate data and restrict the processing of sensitive personal information. In the United States, this is protected by laws like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).
Businesses collect huge amounts of personal data on their users, both to provide a better service and to compete in the marketplace. But this information can be a double-edged sword, as many people don’t want companies to use their details for purposes other than those for which they originally agreed to. It makes sense that a map app needs to know your location, for example, but it’s less clear why a retro camera app should be able to access your contacts list or browsing history.
While data privacy focuses on who has access to our personal information, cybersecurity is about protecting that information from hackers and other threats. Cybersecurity includes tools and processes for securing, managing, encrypting and backing up data. It also involves identifying vulnerabilities and creating mitigation strategies.
A good way to keep your data safe is to talk about it. Most organizations care about your concerns, and positive changes to policies are more likely when you speak up.
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