Data Privacy
Cool technology is everywhere and nearly everyone uses it now, but we often agree to adopt it without realizing the potential impact it can have on our users’ privacy.
Think about smart cars. It uses a camera to capture images and drive around, hence its name. Smart car owners know that their cars have cameras. What they don’t know are the personal images these cameras can collect and disseminate without their explicit knowledge.
What if they thought they would be at home and unnoticed, and then after a shower they wrapped themselves in a towel and ran to the garage to get their tools? Their image could be captured on camera and transmitted out into cyberspace. The problem isn’t the smart car or the engineering behind it, but the fact that we are putting ourselves “out there” more than we realize.
Dr. David Bollman of the University of Advanced Technology said: “People are consenting to use these cool technology platforms without realizing that companies have access to more information, and there are different approaches to the law around that. Strong passwords It’s a far cry from when it was necessary to understand how much personal, medical, mobile, shopping, financial, family, etc. information the data we present online today, and to get permission to do so. We need to understand how explicit people and companies need to be.”
Dr. Bormann gave this example to put it in perspective: Think about how much data you have online just by having a mobile device. Your device stores information about your banking patterns, contacts, medical records, shopping habits, work patterns, travel patterns, and everything else. Your entire life is on your phone. If just one person could find a way to crack your device, they could create a digital twin of you.
Have you ever searched for something online only to find that item popping up in all the ads? You’re probably frustrated, and you’re not alone. This is your personal data being used in real time. A recent Prosper Insights & Analytics survey found that majorities of every generation (from Gen Z to Baby Boomers) said they don’t like social media, search engines, and apps collecting their personal information and giving it to advertisers to send them personalized ads.
Not surprisingly, baby boomers were the most opposed to this, with 75% saying they disliked it. Gen Z, on the other hand, is divided in their opinion, with about 49% saying they don’t like it and 32% saying they don’t care. Additionally, at least 50% of each generation said they have negative feelings about advertisers who have access to their personal information. So if we all value our personal information, should we avoid technology?
Prosper – Our stance on advertisers buying personal data for targeted marketing
Instead, it means you have to start taking a holistic view of what privacy means to you, your family, and your employees. If you don’t stay up to date, you may find yourself behind the proverbial eight ball when it comes to protecting your own, and possibly your company’s, rights and privacy.
To gain further insight, start applying these tactics to your approach to all technology.
1. Gain basic knowledge of current and proposed privacy rules, laws, and regulations.
People, businesses, and governments are realizing that digital privacy laws and regulations enacted before 2020 no longer apply. In the same Prosper Insights & Analytics survey, respondents were asked if they would like to see laws banning social media and other platforms from selling personal information, and all generations supported the idea, with Baby Boomers leading the way at about 77%. With public opinion growing, regulatory actions are proliferating around the world. For example, in the United States, privacy laws are being enacted at the state as well as federal level. In contrast, Europe has the GDPA, whose approach takes the position that digital privacy is a right, just like freedom of speech.
Prosper – Would you like to see legislation banning the sale of personal data?
The more information you arm yourself with on this topic, the more educated you’ll be when it comes to technology and the more informed choices you can make. This is not only good for you, but also for your brand’s reputation. According to a 2023 Pew survey, nearly eight in 10 Americans are concerned about how companies handle their data. Staying ahead of the curve as a thoughtful, proactive thought leader in this space will position your organization as a protector of its customers.
2. Pay particular attention to AI-related privacy issues.
About a year ago, the Biden administration met with leaders of top technology companies to develop the concept of a data information right for AI. Although the outcome of this discussion was not binding, the move represents a recognition that tech companies and governments need to start creating best practices for AI. As AI becomes a more common part of our daily lives, it makes sense that all stakeholders need to set standards today. After all, we are only a few years away from having tools that can identify us by our image, voice, and movement patterns.
Overall, the predictive capabilities of AI can be used for good and even for security. But there is also a dark side. Smart AI may not take over the world, but it can create realistic versions of non-existent people based on real people. According to another 2023 Pew survey, about half of the U.S. population is worried about the role of AI. There’s no need to worry, but you should keep up with the latest research. You will gain a better understanding of the subject and will be a good starting point for future technology decisions.
3. Think more seriously about passwords and permissions
Remember the days when a strong password was all you needed to protect yourself online? Those days are long gone. Today, not only do you need to choose a strong password, but you also need to be able to manage multiple logins at once. When it comes to passwords and permissions, Dr. Borman suggests: “Use a password manager tool like Keeper or LastPass, which I highly recommend, as it makes it easy to use stronger passwords. When starting anything new that involves personal information, if there’s a setting that allows access, start with ‘No.'”
It is a good idea to share this information with your colleagues and employees. Not many people are aware that approximately 80% of data breaches involve password theft, according to 2022 Norton research. By strengthening your company’s password management protocols, you can potentially avoid costly public relations nightmares. In addition to strong, unique passwords, other strategies such as multi-factor authentication can make it more difficult for cybercriminals to access your passwords.
It can be difficult to know what’s best for you and your team when it comes to technology safety. But it’s important to try. Even technologies that are not maliciously designed can cause privacy issues and unintended consequences. The more you can protect yourself by being informed and protecting your privacy and the privacy of others, the better you will feel and respond to technology at home and at work.
