What is Data Privacy Day?
Data Privacy Day occurs annually on January 28. It’s an annual celebration of all things privacy and data protection was first introduced by the Council of Europe on April 26, 2006. Data Privacy Day is celebrated on January 28 each year to commemorate Convention 108 – the first legally binding international treaty on data protection signed in 1981. More recently, Data Privacy Day celebrations have extended to span a whole week or even the entire month of January, with the primary aim of raising awareness of privacy and data protection best practices.
The privacy landscape has changed markedly since the inception of Data Privacy Day back in 2007. We have seen wholesale changes to privacy legislation, new international frameworks adopted and struck down in the courts (and then amended, adopted, and struck down again… and then amended and adopted again), and a huge shift in public awareness of privacy. With each passing year, the privacy landscape becomes more complex. At times, navigating the online world can feel perilous – individuals and organizations must consider more requirements than ever before. That’s why Data Privacy Day represents such an important moment on the calendar for businesses and individuals alike to pause and take stock.
How Can I Celebrate Data Privacy Day?
There really isn’t one single way to celebrate Data Privacy Day but it is important that we all take a moment to recognize its significance and why privacy matters. For example, you might want to take just five minutes out of your day to read an article about what it really means when you ‘accept cookies’. Perhaps you want to spend some time on YouTube watching some privacy explainer videos or you really want to understand what ‘legitimate interest’ means. For organizations, Data Privacy Day can be a great opportunity to educate employees about the measures that are taken to ensure personal information is kept safe. It could also be a great moment to host a workshop explaining some best practices when it comes to protecting your own privacy. Or you may want to share some of the great work your privacy team has been doing to your customer base through an infographic or social media post. And, if you’re stuck for inspiration here are some more ways you can celebrate Data Privacy Day:
- Host an online event – This can be a great way for you to discuss what privacy means to your organization and show off to your customers and stakeholders that you take privacy seriously.
- Organize a privacy-related quiz – Looking to get friends or colleagues involved in some fun and engaging activities that will also educate them about privacy? Well, a short quiz is usually a pretty safe bet – especially if you’re offering a prize. Alternatively, you could simply share some interesting privacy trivia through email or instant messenger.
- Educate yourself – Benjamin Franklin once said, “an investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” Spending some time to get up to date with current privacy trends and hot topics might equip you with the thought-provoking knowledge you need to keep the conversation going.
What Can I Do to Protect My Own Online Privacy?
At OneTrust our mission is based upon helping organizations to become more trusted through operationalizing privacy best practices and ensuring personal information is protected to the highest standard and managed accordingly. However, there are some very simple things that you, as an individual, can do to take control of your own online privacy.
We all know that the internet can be a scary place at times. At every turn, you can be confronted by a potential scam or scheme to steal your personal information. Companies can track your behavior and, in some cases, even your location. You can strike up a decent conversation, only to discover you were messaging an AI-powered chat bot. So, it really does pay to arm yourself with a little knowledge to keep you and your browsing habits safe. Here are a few ways you can protect your personal privacy online:
- Limit the personal information you share on social media – Look, we get it. You want to share that perfectly lit photo of your expensive dinner from that hyper-exclusive restaurant. But limiting exactly what you share on social media can have a big impact on your personal privacy. If you do want to share certain information online, consider making use of the privacy settings on the website or even on the browser you are using.
- Don’t click links or open attachments from suspicious or unknown emails – It may sound obvious, but as we’ve shifted into a world with an added reliance on digitalization, phishing scams are at an all-time high – many of which are convincing and sophisticated. So, think twice before opening that attachment from someone you don’t know.
- Know your privacy rights and how to exercise them in your state or country – The Beastie Boys once told us we need to fight for our right to party. At OneTrust, we say you need to fight for your right to privacy. That starts with knowing your rights and how you can exercise them. Most modern privacy laws grant individuals the right to access the information a business holds on them and in many cases, there is also a right to request that information be erased.
- Opt-out of data collection by using universal preference signals – Universal preference signals may sound like scary tech jargon, but in actuality, they are commonplace and quite easy to use. In layman’s terms, universal preference signals allow you have greater control over how your information is used online and can be set up in only a few clicks through your browser settings.
Take a look at this infographic for more ways to maintain your privacy online – 14 ways to protect your own privacy
Taking privacy beyond Data Privacy Day
OneTrust regularly produces a range of resources for you to utilize and are another great way to understand the digital world we live in and how to navigate it. Check out the OneTrust Blog to read more about the latest trends in privacy and insight into trending news. Head over to the OneTrust Resources page, where you will find webinars, infographics, checklists, eBooks, and more to help you put your knowledge into practice. Or, if you are a podcast fan, checkout the latest episode of Trustonomy to learn more about the moments in history that have defined how trust is won and lost. Additionally, OneTrust DataGuidance offers a huge range of expert research materials that can help you gain an in-depth understanding of global privacy laws and hear from practicing privacy experts on how to deal with the latest and greatest topics in the privacy and data protection world.
Happy Data Privacy Day!