In the digital age, data privacy is something that has become increasingly important to consumers and businesses alike. Most enterprises and organizations are now making the shift to the online world. With this shift, honoring users’ data privacy rights has become an essential part of building trust and forging lasting relationships with consumers. Here are eight things you need to know about your data privacy rights.
What is data privacy?
Data privacy is the protection of personal data. It is important because it ensures that your confidential information will only be used in ways that you consented to.
Data privacy of consumers has become one of the hot topics in recent years, as there have been several cases where personal information was stolen and used for fraudulent activities, like identity theft and other malicious activities.
Nowadays, many companies have data privacy policies on their website. The consumer must agree to the company’s data privacy policies before availing of their service. Social media websites like Facebook, business communication platforms like Slack, and different video streaming platforms all have their own set of data privacy policies.
Data Privacy Laws
Several data privacy laws have been enacted in recent years. The most notable is the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The GDPR is a regulation in the European Union (EU) that aims to protect the data of all EU citizens from criminal use. It also gives them more control over the personal information they share. The GDPR is one of the pioneer data privacy acts in the world.
The best thing about the GDPR is that it governs all companies that provide services to EU citizens. It applies even if the said company is based elsewhere around the globe. Thanks to this regulation, many online platforms based in other countries ensure that they adhere to the GDPR.
Other recently enacted data privacy laws are the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and the Singapore Personal Data Protection Act. The CCPA is a new law in the United States that gives California residents more control over their data, including the right to know what data is collected and the right to have the said data erased. The act took effect in January 2020.
The Singapore Personal Data Protection Act of 2012 (amended in 2020) is a law similar to the CCPA. It gives Singaporeans the right to know what personal data is being collected about them. It also gives them the right to data portability and to have their confidential data erased.
Knowing your Data Privacy Rights
Data privacy includes the right to know what and why personal data is being collected and how it will be used. Your data privacy rights allow you to have your data erased, withdraw your consent for use, and transfer your data at any time.
Knowing your data privacy rights will help you combat web security challenges and keep your personal information safe. Here are the things you need to know about data privacy.
1. You are free to access your confidential data
You have the right to request access to your data, even when it is already held by a company or organization. The right to access your data includes knowing what and why the data is collected. You also have the right to know how the data will be used.
2. You can change your consent at any time
Even though you previously consented to provide your personal information to a company, you have the right to withdraw the consent to use your data at any time. This includes the right to opt-out of marketing communications and the right to have your data erased.
3. You have the right to data portability
You have the right to receive your data in a format that can be easily transferred to another company or organization. You must be able to receive your data in a structured format that is commonly used. This format should be machine-readable for portability.
4. You can object to the processing of your data
You are free to object to the processing of your data for certain purposes. These can include market research or direct marketing. This right also includes objecting to automated decision-making and profiling.
5. You can ensure the accuracy of your data
You have the right to request the company holding your data to correct any inaccurate or incomplete personal information.
6. Your data must be secure
You have the right to request that a company takes steps to protect your data from unauthorized access, destruction, use, modification, or disclosure.
7. You are free to complain if you feel your rights have been violated
If you believe that your rights under the GDPR have been violated, you can file a complaint with the supervisory authority in your country.
8. By design and default, you have the right to data protection
You have the right to expect that companies take steps to protect your data from the outset. Companies holding your data can implement data minimization and data security measures. This right is also known as data protection by design and default.
Data Privacy Compliance
Companies that collect, use, or disclose personal data must comply with data privacy laws. Data privacy compliance is a process by which companies and organizations ensure that they are meeting the requirements of the data privacy laws governing them. This includes ensuring that personal data is collected, used, and disclosed in a way that is consistent with the rights of consumers.
Final Word
Respecting consumers’ right to data privacy has become an important success factor for companies and organizations – both online and offline. With all the new applications, platforms, and media websites that can be used today, knowing your data privacy rights is an essential part of using these platforms.
Knowing your rights will help ensure that your confidential information will be used only for the purposes that you consented to. When signing up on a new website or simply filling in a form, make sure that you know your data privacy rights to properly safeguard your personal information from malicious activities.