The Internet makes our lives more convenient, but it also brings new threats to which we must be vigilant.
According to Legaljobs, up to 10% of Americans fall victim to fraud every year, often exposing their personal data.
Identity theft also affects about 1.4 million Americans each year, A loss of about $5.8 billion. Staying safe on the Internet means knowing what your personal data is and how to help protect it.
In this blog, we take a closer look at what privacy data is and share details on how you can keep yourself safe.
We also consider privacy laws to help you understand your rights.
What is Privacy Data?
Before delving deeper into the subject, we should first consider what privacy data is. This will help you understand which data is private and which data can be considered public information.
Personal information data generally refers to confidential information relating to you or a business that you own. Several elements make up personal data, each of which plays an important role in your identity.
Your identity or social security number is one of the most important personal data elements. This number identifies you on your birth certificate within your state and local governments throughout the United States.
Passport numbers and driver’s license codes are also considered personal data.
Things get complicated when it comes to your first and last name. These are generally not considered personal information, but when combined with factors such as identity documents, they become private.
Other types of data that should be considered private include:
- Bank account number and card information
- credit card information
- Login information for your online account
- Address and phone number
- Information related to credit history
Why is data privacy important?
If you’ve never been affected by a scam or problem like identity theft, you may not yet fully understand the important role that data privacy plays. Data privacy means keeping the information discussed in the previous section safe and confidential.
It also means the ability to protect this type of information, preventing cybercriminals from getting their hands on personal data that could cause serious damage and loss. For example, if data is not effectively secured, elements such as credit card details or social security numbers can be exposed to criminals lurking on the Internet.
Criminals who obtain this data can use your credit card information to transfer funds from your account to unknown accounts. These funds are often lost on your part and are considered irrecoverable.
Data privacy also helps protect details such as where you live and contact information. These are details that criminals could potentially use to target you in real life instead of using a digital approach when they want to carry out their criminal activities.
What are the data privacy laws in the US?
Most countries have laws regarding data privacy of citizens in the digital space. The United States has also implemented several laws and regulations related to digital data.
Data privacy laws in the United States are slightly different than in other countries. For example, while some countries use a single set of data protection regulations, the United States has decided to divide its data protection laws into categories.
This has resulted in the publication of several data collection and access regulations that companies must follow to protect citizens from hacking and identity theft.
Let’s take a closer look at certain data privacy laws that have been implemented in the United States.
- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA): While not fully addressing privacy, the law was put in place to regulate communication between patients and health care industry organizations.
These laws help protect the data patients share with doctors, nurses or health insurance providers. However, it does not protect data recorded by smartwatches and other wearable trackers in terms of online privacy laws.
- GLBA (Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act): The GLBA Rules were introduced to better understand how information provided during credit applications is processed. The law requires financial institutions to ensure that their customers are fully aware of how they use personal information provided by consumers when they open applications.
- Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA): These laws generally limit surveillance of electronic communication methods. When employers monitor employee communications, they provide details on what is and isn’t allowed.
It also restricts government eavesdropping on phone calls and emails.
- Protection Act COPPA: This protection law was implemented with a sole focus on children. Also known as the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule, it requires that certain restrictions be applied when data is collected from children under the age of 13.
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for children helps prevent endangering children.
- Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA): that much California Consumer Privacy Act Regulates how certain companies, including websites, process consumers’ data. It also states that companies must provide transparent information about how they will use the data they collect from consumers.
The United States also regularly changes these laws to Personally Identifiable Information (PII) Safe for consumers.
Tips to keep your data secure
Leakage of user data can cause serious problems. That’s why you need to take appropriate measures to effectively protect your data.
Protecting your data prevents unauthorized users from accessing your credit card details, bank account information, and other data that could lead to cybercriminal activity and loss.
Start by considering how and where you keep your important data. For example, do not upload personal or confidential information, including photos, to publicly accessible websites.
When adding this type of data to your cloud storage, make sure your account is protected with more than just a password. You should also try setting two-factor authentication For other accounts such as bank logins, cryptocurrency platforms and platforms where personal information is stored.
You should also be wary of agreements you sign or create new accounts with. Please read our privacy policy and terms of use carefully during the creation process, especially if we ask for personal information in the registration form.
The main idea here is to ensure that you fully understand how to store and use the data you enter.
In addition to these strategies, another great way to protect your data is to use an identity theft protection service. This service can help keep an eye on your personal information.
If the Service detects publicly available personal information about you, it will notify you immediately with details on the best course of action for you to take. These services often come with multiple plans to make sure they fit your budget and needs.
data privacy day
January 28 was instituted as follows. National Data Privacy Day. However, before this special day began, the 1981 Personal Data Protection Treaty was signed.
It was the first international treaty ever signed. As the digital age advances, in 2006 the Council of Europe declared a Data Protection Day. A later Data Protection Day was also initiated by the same committee.
At this time, Data Protection Day was known only to Europeans. However, since 2008, the United States has also shown interest in the case.
But it wasn’t until 2014, when Congress adopted Senate Resolution 33, that a National Data Privacy Day was announced in the United States.
data privacy day To provide information about personal data to the public. The day’s goal is to spread awareness of the risks posed by ineffective safeguards implemented to protect consumers’ personal data.
The day also focuses on businesses and shares important data on how businesses can protect privacy.
conclusion
Today, it’s important to implement steps that help us protect personal data in the digital age. Unfortunately, many people do not take adequate steps to protect personal user data.
The tips shared in this article will help prevent data breaches and reduce the risk of cybercriminals gaining access to your personal data and accounts.