Data privacy
Cool technologies are everywhere and almost all of us use them now. However, we often agree to adopt technology without realizing the potential impact on user privacy.
Consider the smart car. It earned its name because it uses cameras to capture images and drive. Smart car owners know their vehicles have cameras. What they don’t know is the personal images these cameras could collect and potentially disseminate without their explicit knowledge.
What if they run into the garage at some point in a towel after the shower to grab a tool because they’re at home and think they’re not going to be noticed? Their image could be captured on camera and sent out into the cyber universe. The problem isn’t the smart car or the engineering behind it, but the fact that we push ourselves more “out there” than we realize.
Dr. David Bollman at University of Advanced Technology noted, “People agree to use these smart technology platforms without realizing that companies have access to more information and there are different approaches to the law around this. It’s a long way from the days when you needed a fixed password. Today, you need to understand how much information – personal, medical, mobile, shopping, financial and family – is part of the data you present online and to what extent people/companies need to be transparent to get your permission for it .”
Dr. Bollmann gave this example to help unify the picture. Think about how much of your data is online just because you own a mobile device. Your device collects your banking patterns, contacts, medical records, shopping habits, work patterns, mobility patterns, you name it. Your whole life is on your phone. All it would take is one person to figure out how to jailbreak your device and they could create a digital twin of you.
Have you ever searched for something online and now that item is all over your ads? It probably bothered you and you wouldn’t be alone. This is your personal data being used in real time. According to recent Prosper Insights & Analytics survey, a majority of every generation (Gen-Z to Boomers) responded that they didn’t like it when social media, search engines and apps collected their personal information and gave it to advertisers to send them personalized ads.
Unsurprisingly, Boomers were more against it, with 75% saying they didn’t like it, and Gen-Z was split, with nearly 49% disliking it and 32% saying they didn’t care . And at least 50% of each generation reported having negative feelings about advertisers accessing their personal information. So if we all value our personal information, does that mean we should avoid technology?
Prosper – Attitude towards advertisers who buy personal data for targeted marketing
Instead, it just means you need to start taking a holistic view of what privacy means to you, your family, and your employees. If you don’t stay informed, you may find yourself behind the proverbial eight ball when it comes to protecting your rights and privacy—and, in some cases, your company.
To gain more insight, start applying these tactics to your approach to all technologies.
1. Get a basic understanding of current and proposed privacy rules, laws and regulations.
People, businesses and governments are beginning to realize that digital privacy laws and rules written before 2020 no longer apply. At the same Prosper Insights & Analytics in the survey, respondents were asked if they would like to see legislation that prevented social media and other platforms from selling personal information. All generations were in favor of this idea, with Boomers leading the response at nearly 77%. With public opinion on the rise, we are seeing a surge in regulatory measures around the world. For example, in the US, privacy laws exist on a state-by-state basis as well as at the federal level. In contrast, Europe has the GDPA. His approach argues that digital privacy is a right, like freedom of speech.
Prosper – You would like to see legislation preventing the sale of personal data
The more you benefit from information on this topic, the more knowledgeable you will be in making informed choices when it comes to technology. This will not only be good for you but for your brand reputation. Pew Research by 2023 shows that about eight in 10 Americans are concerned about how businesses handle their data. By staying ahead of the curve as a thoughtful, proactive thought leader in this space, you can position your organization as an advocate for its customers.
2. Pay particular attention to privacy issues related to artificial intelligence.
About a year ago, the Biden administration met with the leaders of leading technology companies to develop concepts of data information rights for artificial intelligence. While the outcome of that discussion was non-binding, the move represents a recognition that tech industry companies and governments need to start producing AI best practices. As AI becomes a more common part of our daily lives, it makes sense that all parties are setting standards today. After all, we’re only a few years away from tools that can recognize us by our image, voice, and movement patterns.
Overall, the predictive capabilities of AI can be used for good and uniform security. But it also has a dark side. While smart AI isn’t going to take over the world, it can create realistic versions of people who don’t exist based on those who do. As another Pew study from 2023 shows, about half of the US population is concerned about the role of artificial intelligence. You don’t need to worry, but you should stay updated on the latest findings. You’ll feel more knowledgeable about the topic, which is a good starting point for your future technology decisions.
3. Pay more attention to passwords and permissions
Remember the day when all you needed to be protected online was a strong password? Those days are long gone. Today, you need to be able to not only choose strong passwords, but manage multiple logins at once. Regarding passwords and permissions, Dr. Bolman suggests, “Use a tool that’s a password manager like Keeper or LastPass. I highly recommend it and it makes using stronger passwords easier. When starting something new related to your personal information, if at any point there are settings related to giving people access, start with no.
You will want to pass this information on to your colleagues and employees. Many people are unaware that, according to Norton findings in 2022, approximately 80% of all data breaches have a stolen password component. Strengthening your company’s password management protocols could help you avoid a costly public relations nightmare. In addition to strong, unique passwords, other strategies, such as multi-factor authorization, can make it more difficult for cybercriminals to gain access to passwords.
It can be hard to wrap your head around what’s best for you and your team when it comes to technology security. It’s important to try. Even technology not designed with bad intentions can cause privacy headaches and unintended consequences. The more you shield yourself by staying informed and protecting your—and others’—privacy, the better off you’ll be and feel when adopting technology at home or at work.
