How seriously does your business take data privacy? Can you back up your answer with concrete examples of what you do to prioritize that notion? Today, we face a serious threat to both individual and consumer data privacy, so we want to take the time to cover how you can make data privacy a priority in your own life.

What is Individual Data Privacy?

In short, individual data privacy involves users' rights to control how their personal information is collected, used, and shared. Typically, this will also involve protecting personal data from unauthorized access and ensuring that data is used responsibly and ethically.

Into the Weeds of Data Privacy

Curious what you should consider for data privacy? Here are some ideas:

• Protection from identity theft: You don’t want a hacker misusing information like your Social Security number, financial records, health records, or other personally identifiable information. This can lead to identity theft, poor financial wellness, and loss of reputation.
• Personal safety: If your location data or contact information were to be disseminated across the Internet, you might feel unsafe.
• Control over personal data: You should always strive to maintain full control over your information. Remember, you have the right to determine how this information is used and to reserve the right to remove it if you’d prefer.
• Freedom from surveillance: Data collection can lead to the feeling of constant “surveillance,” including the tracking of online behavior and preferences. This makes freedom of expression feel uncomfortable, as you always know someone is watching.
• Economic impact: Companies are always looking for their next customers, and to find them, they collect data—including your own. You want to protect your data in any way possible so that these companies don’t profit from your data without compensation.
• Psychological well-being: It feels good to know that your data is protected and you’re doing what you can to keep it safe.
• Legal and ethical considerations: Be sure to consider GDPR in Europe and CCPA in California, two examples of legislation that have attempted to make privacy a more important topic in recent years.

How to Keep Your Data Safe

Are you worried about your data privacy? Start with these steps:

• Use strong passwords - Create complex passwords and use a password manager to track them.
• Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) - 2FA adds an extra layer of security, requiring a second form of verification.
• Be cautious with public Wi-Fi - Avoid accessing sensitive information over public Wi-Fi networks or use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) for added security.
• Limit sharing on social media - Be mindful of what personal information you share online, as malicious entities can exploit it.
• Review privacy settings - Regularly check and update the privacy settings on your devices, social media accounts, and apps.

Remember, your individual data privacy rights are important, so treat them as such! Check back for more tips on how to make your data privacy a priority in the coming years.