“Email me with all of your bank accounts, subscriptions, email accounts,
mobile device logins and all your passwords.”
That’s how Glenn Greenwald responds when someone tells him that they are not really worried about invasion of their privacy because they don’t have anything to hide. But they do put passwords on their email accounts and locks on their bathroom door. Greenwald says that no one has ever sent the logins and passwords to him. Those people’s actions don’t match their words.
So why does privacy matter, even if you’re “not doing anything you need to hide?”
Christena Nippert-Eng suggests in her presentation “Why Privacy Matters”, that Privacy seems to equate with quite a few things that matter deeply to individuals. For instance:
- Privacy = the chance to dream, explore, create and understand without anyone commenting on it.
- Privacy = the chance to make happy surprises for others and for others to make happy surprises for you.
- Privacy = the ability to do and say stupid/thoughtless/mean/embarrassing/shameful things and get over it.
- The Gift of Privacy = a sign of respect.
Are you your child's biggest source of privacy breaches? Lorraine Akemann thought that she had safely shared pictures of her child on Facebook. But, when her daughter Googled her own name, she found all the childhood photos had her name attached to them! Read the article for tips on how to prevent this from happening to you.
Data privacy matters because data is permanent. Much like a tattoo, unless you think before you post, you could spend a lot of time and money in trying to remove something off the internet that may never fully be removed. This could affect your reputation, job opportunities and advancements, and university admissions. See the video Stop TMI: Think Before You Post
Tip: STOP.THINK.CONNECT.
Instructions: Since most of us use the internet at least once a day (email, Facebook, Twitter, G+, Tumblr, Instragram, etc.), use the slogan STOP.THINK.CONNECT. before going online
- STOP: before using the internet, understand the risks and learn how to spot potential problems.
- THINK: be certain the path ahead is clear. Watch for warning signs and consider how your actions online could impact your safety.
- CONNECT:enjoy the internet with confidence, knowing you've taken steps to safeguard you and your computer.
Resources:
Lorraine Akemann, “3 Lessons I Learned About Online Privacy When My Teen Googled Her Name”, January 08, 2016.
Christena Nippert-Eng, Ph.D, “Why Privacy Matters” commissioned by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada as part of the Insights on Privacy Speaker Series, June 2011.
Visit stopthinkconnect.org for videos and more information about how small steps can help keep the web a safer place for everyone.
See TED Talk with Glenn Greenwald: Why privacy matters .
We are proud to be a Data Privacy Day Champ!
You can be one too! #PrivacyAware
To celebrate Data Privacy Day, Information Managers is offering a free Data Privacy Day Privacy Awareness E-Course.
When you register, you will receive one email a day from January 21 – 29 with a privacy tip, easy to follow instructions, and links to additional resources that can be applied at home or in the office.