TechDogs-"What You Need To Understand About Global Privacy Laws"

Privacy Laws

What You Need To Understand About Global Privacy Laws

By TechDogs Editorial Team

TechDogs
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Overview

Privacy laws are primarily concerned with Personally Identifiable Information (PII), any information that can be used to identify a person. It makes sense that such data needs protection. Hence, knowing the difference between PII and less-important data is essential, like your favorite blog post about 5 Epic Anime Betrayals.

Similarly, five global privacy principles help nations and agencies worldwide establish laws and regulations to protect PII. Privacy Laws have grown more complex since their inception in 1973, with different rules and regulations being added over time to protect internet users. Privacy Laws will only become stricter with time, so businesses that aren't protecting their customers' data need to get on board right now.

Read this article to understand what Global Privacy Laws are and how they protect you.
TechDogs-"What You Need To Understand About Global Privacy Laws"
Ready to get your mind blown? More than 3.2 million records were exposed in the ten biggest data privacy breaches in the first half of 2020, with eight of the top 10 breaches occurring at medical or healthcare organizations!

That's just one of the many reasons we need Privacy Laws.

While hacking can sometimes be romanticized as the work of a genius - who could forget that time Matthew Broderick hacked into that military supercomputer in War Games -often, hacking is much easier than you might think (now that's scary!).

One famous example is the 2014 iCloud leaks where 500 private pictures of celebrities were leaked onto various websites. Initially, the leak was attributed to a daring, brilliant hack of Apple's iCloud Service. However, reports later revealed that the data breach resulted from simple spear-phishing - the process of targeting a specific user's personal information and security to hack their online accounts.

While the iCloud scandal wasn't a direct data breach, Privacy Act and Laws help protect internet users from such malicious practices. Privacy Laws ensure that the internet is a safer place for people, businesses, and organizations worldwide.

Let's see against what kind of threats do Privacy Laws protect us.
 

What Is A Data Breach Anyway?


A data breach is when hackers digitally break into a business's servers and take everything they can get their grimy hands on - from usernames and passwords to bank accounts and credit card numbers in short any personal information. Basically, it's a way for hackers to steal your money or your entire identity and then make bulk orders for Friskies Wet Cat Food.

Businesses are another common target for hackers. Many data privacy breaches have hugely impacted businesses throughout the late 20th and 21st centuries, causing widespread confusion as customers weren't sure what data subject had been stolen.

Aveanna Healthcare had one such breach in 2019. The company was sued by hundreds of patients when they found out they didn't receive notice that a violation of their medical information had occurred, violating their privacy under HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) laws. The robust HIPPA laws protect every American's medical information, whether it's online or not.

Ambry was another company sued by those potentially affected by a data breach. An employee's email at Ambry Genetics was hacked in 2020. The lawsuit claimed that the company didn't do enough to secure their information and protect their customer's privacy shield. Data security breaches can affect individuals with identity theft and other consequences but their effect on companies can be huge, damaging reputations and resulting in massive fines and lawsuits.


What Is Information Privacy?


Privacy can range from something as important as your social security number to something as insignificant as your favorite color of M&M's. While M&M's are incredibly important to some people, hackers only care if they're related to your password. On the other hand, your birthdate is a valuable piece of PII (Personally identifiable information). There are two types of PII:
 
  • Data that can identify or determine a person's identity. Name, social security number and date of birth are all examples.

  • Data that are linked to an individual, like medical, financial or legal records.

Returning to the M&M's (because we're hungry), your favorite color of the delectable treat would not be an example of PII as that data is too general for someone to link that knowledge back to you.


Where Did Privacy Laws Come From?


TechDogs-Where Did Privacy Laws Come From?-Image Of Keyboard With Highlighted With The Word - PRIVACY -  In The Reference To Evolution Of Privacy Law
Privacy Laws were born in Sweden when citizens grew concerned about personal data protection and preventing mass surveillance by the government. The Swedish Data Protection Authority was established in 1973 after the first national data protection law was passed. That's where it all started.

Over time, Privacy Laws have grown more complex as the internet, digital data and networks have grown exponentially over the last 50 years. "Globally, the number of internet users increased from only 413 million in 2000 to over 3.4 billion in 2016," and that doesn't even cover all the data that medical companies and other businesses moved from rusty file cabinets onto computers. Now people worldwide can connect through both internet and mobile networks (sending private data back and forth), creating the need for large-scale policies that protect consumers.

One type of data that's incredibly important to protect is transactional data. Transactional data is made anytime you buy or sell something online.

Companies like Amazon will keep track of your purchases and market items to you based on your history. They can even hike the prices at peak buying times. Transactional data processing along with data transfer is a rapidly growing section of Privacy Laws as more and more retail businesses move away from in-person to online.

However, Privacy Laws do more than just protect transactional data. Let's have a look.
 

Why Do We Need Privacy Laws?


One of the costliest consequences of a data breach can be losing the trust of your customers. It's a big hit to your brand if your customers stop buying from you because hackers got a hold of their credit card and went on a Walmart As Seen on a TV spending spree.

Privacy Laws are also essential to maintaining your anonymity (if you want to be anonymous). Even if you're not spending time on the Dark Web (seriously, you'd better not be), your privacy should still be a top priority. If you neglect to protect your privacy through preventative steps like antivirus software or smart password management, you could be vulnerable to financial or informational loss. Thankfully, because so many countries have passed Privacy Law, you're better protected from getting data security from personal data that actually matters stolen (instead of just your Microsoft Paint masterpieces).
 

Five Global Privacy Principles


Here are the five principles that guide businesses when they're trying to protect their data:
 
  • Notice

    is when a business tells you what they have access to and what you agree to by doing business with them (or even just visiting their website). The notice must be given before any information can be collected. Think of it like the "terms and conditions" you'd find when installing a new piece of software. Most people don't read them but hey, they still matter. Who doesn't enjoy reading through 400-page terms and condition documents in their spare time?

  • Choice Of Consent

    Choice of consent refers to whether visitors can opt-in to allow their information to be used (choice) or opt-out to decline usage of their private information (consent).

  • Access

    The customer must be able to look at the sensitive data collection that's been taken. Access must also be inexpensive and timely. You shouldn't have to cut off an arm or a leg to see what information a company has collected about you.

  • Integrity

    Anyone who legally collects information has the responsibility to make sure no one else can access it.

  • Enforcement

    Enforcement is performed by three methods: self-enforcement, enforcement by a lawsuit and enforcement by the government. Unfortunately, some companies aren't always transparent about the information they collect. Self-enforcement probably isn't that effective. If these companies could self-enforce privacy standards, we wouldn't be typing out this lovely post in the first place.

 

Privacy Laws Will Keep Getting Stronger


Privacy Laws will likely become stricter as we move forward. While the United States has adopted a more gradual approach to Privacy Laws, the EU is far more stringent. Governments will go to great lengths to protect users' privacy as more and more of our world moves to the internet but you got to protect your privacy too. Stay on top of this stuff and pay for that Norton Antivirus, if for no other reason than to get that dang pop-up off your loading screen.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a data breach and why do we need Privacy Laws to protect against it?


A data breach occurs when hackers infiltrate a business's servers and steal sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, bank account details, or personal data. These breaches pose significant threats to individuals and organizations, leading to financial losses, identity theft, and reputational damage. Privacy Laws play a crucial role in safeguarding internet users from such malicious practices by enforcing regulations and protocols to ensure data security and protect privacy rights. By imposing strict guidelines and penalties for non-compliance, Privacy Laws aim to create a safer online environment for people, businesses, and organizations worldwide.

Where did Privacy Laws come from?


Privacy Laws originated in Sweden in 1973, with the establishment of the Swedish Data Protection Authority and the passage of the first national data protection law. Over time, as internet usage and digital data grew exponentially, Privacy Laws evolved to address the need for protecting personal data and preventing mass surveillance by governments. Today, Privacy Laws have become more complex to accommodate the vast amount of digital data generated by individuals and businesses worldwide.

Why do we need Privacy Laws?


Privacy Laws are essential for several reasons. Firstly, they help protect individuals' privacy and personal data from unauthorized access and misuse, safeguarding against identity theft and financial losses. Secondly, Privacy Laws are crucial for maintaining trust between businesses and their customers. A data breach can lead to a loss of customer trust and brand reputation, resulting in significant financial and reputational damage. Additionally, Privacy Laws provide guidelines for businesses to follow regarding the collection, use, and protection of personal data, ensuring transparency and accountability in data processing practices. Finally, Privacy Laws help individuals maintain their anonymity and protect their privacy rights in an increasingly digital world, where online transactions and interactions generate vast amounts of personal data.

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