Data Privacy Day

January 28 is Data Privacy Day!

January 28 is Data Privacy Day

Led by the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), Data Privacy Day – held every year on January 28 – commemorates the 1981 signing of Convention 108, the first legally binding international treaty dealing with privacy and data protection. Data Privacy Day (DPD) began in the United States and Canada in January 2008 as an extension of Data Protection Day in Europe. DPD brings together businesses and private citizens to share the best strategies for protecting consumers’ private information.

Data Privacy Day’s 2020 theme is “Own Your Privacy.”

Each year, data breaches continue to grow in size and scope – exposing consumers’ sensitive, personal information and businesses’ valuable data. Against this backdrop, Data Privacy Day helps spread awareness about privacy and educates citizens on how to secure their personal information. It also works to encourage businesses to be more transparent about how they collect, store and use data.

“With the California Consumer Privacy Act going into effect in January 2020, this year’s Data Privacy Day couldn’t be more timely for increasing awareness among businesses and consumers about the importance of respecting and protecting personal information,” said Kelvin Coleman, executive director of NCSA. “With the tremendous growth of businesses collecting and using personal data and millions of customers putting private information online, Data Privacy Day works to encourage businesses to improve data privacy and security practices and educate consumers about the many ways their personal information can be used and shared.”

Additional information and resources on Data Privacy

Data Privacy Day Infographic
Your Privacy in a Growing Internet of Me Infographic
EDUCAUSE Review guest blog by Svetla Sytch (University of Michigan): When Privacy Becomes a Thing
Data Privacy Priorities Infographic, courtesy of Forrester and IBM
Privacy is Good for Business Tip Sheet
Check Your Privacy Settings: Want to view or change your privacy/security settings, but don’t know where to find them? NCSA has an easy-to-use resource with direct links to update your privacy settings on popular devices and online services

TIPS FOR STAYING SAFE AND PRIVATE ONLINE: CONSUMERS

PRIVACY INSIGHTS AND ADVICE FOR CONSUMERS:
SAFEGUARDING YOUR DATA

Most households now run networks of devices linked to the internet, including computers, gaming systems, household assistants, home robots, TVs, tablets, smartphones and wearables. These devices make it easier to connect to the world around you, but they can also track your personal information, including your contacts, photos, videos, location and health and financial data.

As the issue of privacy become better known to the public, consumers are becoming more concerned about who will access their information and why. Here are some consumer-friendly tips to help protect your privacy:

PERSONAL INFO IS LIKE MONEY: VALUE IT. PROTECT IT. Information about you, such as
your purchase history or location, has value – just like money. Be thoughtful about who gets that
information and how it’s collected through apps and websites. You should delete unused apps, keep
others current and review app permissions.
SHARE WITH CARE. Think before posting about yourself and others online. Consider what it reveals,
who might see it and how it could be perceived now and in the future. It’s a good idea to review your social
network friends and all contact lists to ensure everyone still belongs.
OWN YOUR ONLINE PRESENCE. Set the privacy and security settings on websites and apps to your
comfort level for information sharing. Each device, application or browser you use will have different
features to limit how and with whom you share information. It’s OK to ask others for help.
THINK BEFORE YOU ACT. Information about you, such as the games you like to play, your contacts
list, where you shop and your geographic location, has tremendous value. Be thoughtful about who
gets that information and understand how it’s collected through websites and apps.

TIPS FOR STAYING SAFE AND PRIVATE ONLINE: ORGANIZATIONS

PRIVACY INSIGHTS AND ADVICE FOR ORGANIZATIONS: PRIVACY IS GOOD FOR BUSINESS

Protecting your customers’ privacy is a competitive advantage. Respecting consumers’ privacy is a smart strategy for inspiring trust and enhancing reputation and growth. Here are some tips for organizations to promote, achieve and maintain privacy:

PRIVACY IS EVERYONE’S BUSINESS: IF YOU COLLECT IT, PROTECT IT. Follow reasonable security measures to keep individuals’ personal information safe from inappropriate and unauthorized access.
TRANSPARENCY BUILDS TRUST. Be open and honest about how you collect, use and share consumers’ personal information. Think about how the consumer may expect their data to be used and design settings to protect their information by default.
BUILD TRUST BY DOING WHAT YOU SAY YOU WILL DO. Communicate clearly and concisely to the public
what privacy means to your organization and the steps you take to achieve and maintain privacy.
CONDUCT DUE DILIGENCE AND MAINTAIN OVERSIGHT OF PARTNERS AND VENDORS. If someone provides services on your behalf, you are also responsible for how they collect and use your consumers’ personal information.

SUNY College of Optometry is

recognized as a Data Privacy Champion!

The Data Privacy Day Champions represent those dedicated to empowering individuals and encouraging businesses to respect privacy, safeguard data and enable trust. Champions include companies and organizations of all sizes, schools and school districts, colleges and universities, nonprofits, government organizations and individuals.