What is Data Privacy?

Data privacy refers to the protection of personal information and how it is collected, stored, and shared by individuals, companies, and organizations.

Why is Data Privacy Important?

It helps protect the personal information of individuals from misuse, including identity theft, fraud, and unauthorized surveillance, and allows individuals to control the use of their data.

What Are Personal Data and Sensitive Data?

Personal data includes information that may identify a person, such as name, email, or address. Sensitive data includes more private details, such as medical records, financial information, and racial or religious beliefs.

What is the GDPR and How Does It Affect Data Privacy?

The General Data Protection Regulation is the regulation in the European Union on how personal data must be collected, stored, and processed. It gives an individual more control over their data.

How do websites collect my personal data?

Websites collect data through cookies, form submissions, tracking pixels, and other technologies that capture your browsing habits, personal preferences, and interactions.

What are cookies, and should I be worried about them?

Cookies are small data files stored on your device that track your activity on websites. They can be used for personalized experiences or advertising. While most cookies are harmless, some may track your behavior without your consent.

How Can I Protect My Personal Data Online?

Use strong, unique passwords, enable two-factor authentication, avoid oversharing on social media, and be cautious when downloading apps or opening unsolicited emails.

What is Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)?

Additional layers of security: two-factor authentication-verification methods requiring both something you know, namely your password, and something you have, a code sent to your phone or email.

Can My Data Be Sold or Shared Without My Consent?

Many jurisdictions require consent for companies to sell or share data, but many hide it within their privacy policies or terms of service.

How Do I Know If a Website Is Secure?

Look for “https” at the beginning of the URL, which indicates secure communication. In addition, check for a padlock icon in the address bar, which indicates that the website is using encryption to protect your data.

What Is Data Encryption, and How Does It Protect My Data?

Data encryption is actually a process that encodes your data into a secure format, so that this can only be decrypted with a specific key. In this way, you are sure that if your data gets intercepted, it will still be unreadable.

What Are Data Breaches, and How Can I Protect Myself?

A data breach occurs when unauthorized individuals gain access to sensitive information. Keep yourself safe by using strong, unique passwords, monitoring your accounts, and being cautious of phishing attempts.

How Do I Remove My Data from a Company’s Records?

Under regulations like the GDPR, you may have a right to demand that companies delete your personal data. You can write to the company and formally ask for data deletion, which is often called the “right to be forgotten.”

What are phishing scams, and how do I avoid them?

Phishing scams comprise fraudulent emails or messages that seem legitimate but are used to steal people’s personal information. Steer clear of it by not clicking on suspicious links, checking the authenticness of email addresses, and being sensitive to unsolicited requests.

How Does Social Media Affect My Data Privacy?

Social media platforms collect massive amounts of personal data- your habits, preferences, and those with whom you associate. Be well- aware of what you share, review your privacy settings often, and limit the amount of information you expose.

What is the CCPA?

The CCPA is a state law that provides California residents with rights regarding their personal data, such as the right to know what data is being collected, the right to delete data, and the right to opt out of the sale of their information.

What is Data Minimization?

Data minimization is the act of collecting data that is directly required for the intended purpose. Avoid excessive data collection to limit privacy risks.

What Are Data Retention Policies?

Data retention policies refer to how long an organization keeps its personal data. Organizations should be able to make sure that their data is kept no longer than it needs to be, as it should delete securely when the data is no longer needed.

How Do Mobile Apps Affect My Data Privacy?

Many mobile apps collect personal data, often for advertising or service improvement. You can protect your data by reviewing app permissions, limiting access to sensitive data, and downloading apps only from trusted sources.

How Can I Stay Updated on Changes to Data Privacy Laws?

Follow some tech and privacy blogs for updates, join lists to receive mail from advocacy groups focused on privacy issues, and check changes to the terms and conditions or privacy policies of services you use.