Celebrating Data Privacy Day: Protecting Your Personal Information
January 28 marks Data Privacy Day, also known as Data Protection Day in Europe. This day commemorates the anniversary of Convention 108, the first binding international treaty aimed at safeguarding personal data. To help individuals enhance their data privacy skills, we present five practical steps to better protect your personal information online.
1. Share Your Information with Trusted Websites and Apps
In today’s digital age, almost every online interaction involves sharing personal information with companies. Whether subscribing to newsletters, making purchases, filling out surveys, or applying for jobs, we’re constantly providing personal details. However, it’s crucial to be discerning and only share information with trusted websites and apps.
Tips to Evaluate Website and App Trustworthiness
- Check the URL and Domain: Ensure the website’s name is spelled correctly and look for domain endings like .org, .com, .edu, or .gov, which are generally more reliable.
- Research the Organization: Look for detailed information about the organization’s leaders and contact details. If this information is missing or hard to find, proceed with caution.
- Review Privacy Policies: A comprehensive privacy policy should clearly outline how your information will be used, including details about security measures. Verify that the company complies with relevant data protection laws by allowing data access requests.
2. Regularly Update Your Passwords and Use Multi-Factor Authentication
Reusing passwords is a common vulnerability that can lead to unauthorized access to your accounts. Once a password is compromised in a data breach, cybercriminals might attempt to use it on other platforms. To assess your exposure, visit “Have I Been Pwned” (haveibeenpwned.com) to see if your email has been involved in any breaches.
Steps to Enhance Password Security
- Use Unique Passwords: Avoid recycling passwords across different sites. Consider using a password manager to generate and store complex passwords securely.
- Implement Multi-Factor Authentication: This adds an extra layer of security beyond just a password. Options include receiving a numeric code via SMS, email, or an authenticator app. While some methods are more secure than others, any additional step increases account protection.
3. Respect Others’ Privacy
Be mindful of the information you share on social media. Consider the potential reach of your posts and avoid sharing anything you wouldn’t want widely disseminated. Social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat offer settings for private sharing with select friends—respect these boundaries by not screenshotting or resharing private content without permission.
4. Review Social Media Privacy Settings
Social media platforms provide various privacy settings to control how your data is collected and shared.
Key Platforms and Their Privacy Options
- Snapchat: Visit the Snapchat Privacy Center to manage who can contact you and view your data history.
- Instagram: Adjust settings to control who can see your posts, comment on them, and how deleted posts are handled.
- TikTok: Choose between public and private accounts and manage ad settings.
- X (formerly Twitter): Customize what information others can see about you and adjust ad preferences.
- Facebook: Explore a comprehensive range of privacy settings.
Remember to check privacy settings on other platforms like Reddit, Pinterest, and dating apps such as Bumble, Hinge, or Tinder.
5. Use Incognito Modes to Protect Your Privacy
Most browsers offer incognito or private browsing modes to minimize personal data sharing during internet use.
How to Enable Private Browsing
- Chrome: Open a new incognito window via the “More” menu.
- Safari: Choose “private browsing” from the “File” menu for a new private window.
- Firefox: Access private browsing by selecting “New private window” from the Firefox menu.
- DuckDuckGo and Brave: These browsers are designed with default privacy protections.
Additionally, Snapchat users can enable Ghost Mode to conceal their location on Snap Map.
Stay Informed and Engaged
If you’re interested in learning more about privacy issues or exploring related topics, consider subscribing to our monthly briefing or attending upcoming events. Follow us on social media platforms like X, LinkedIn, or Instagram for continuous updates.
At the Future of Privacy Forum (FPF), we bring together leading experts in privacy to explore ways we can harness data insights while respecting individuals’ rights to privacy. Join us in celebrating Data Privacy Day by committing to these practices and fostering a culture of privacy awareness.