The end-user license agreement, terms and condition you didn’t read but scrolled to the end to click “I agree”? That will have been one way for you to understand how your information will be used, handled and stored but No you decided not to read it because you don’t think it is necessary.
It’s Data Privacy Week and the aim is to educate you (business or individual) to prioritize data privacy.
What is Data Privacy?
Data Privacy is the combination of the proper handling of data and its usage. Date privacy is the right you have as an individual to understand how your data is collected, used, or shared .
Some of these data include full name, phone number, home address, location, password, health information, and bank information ( bank verification number, card number……).
Why is Data Privacy Important?
Privacy is considered a fundamental human right, and data protection laws exist to guard that right. In order for individuals to be willing to engage online and do business with you, they have to trust that their personal data will be handled with care.
Data breaches can cost up to $3.92 million to fix, but this may easily be resolved by having some privacy regulations .
“Privacy is important and will continue to be so. It is critical to understand the laws as well as the potential risks associated with data processing. It is also critical to be aware of the steps you can take to protect your data, such as using privacy-preserving tools, among other things.” – Ridwan Oloyede, Partner at Tech Hive Avisory
Regulations and Legislations Governing Data Privacy and Protection
Data Privacy Regulations help to specify how data should be collected, stored, and shared with a third party. These are a few regulations that govern Data Privacy:
Kenya Data Protection (General) Regulations, 2021:These regulations set out the procedures for enforcement of the rights of the data subjects as well as elaborating on the duties and obligations of Data Controllers and Data Processors
The Nigerian Data Protection Regulation (NDPR):This provides the citizens with the right and control over their personal data, to ask what it is being used for, how it is being handled, and what has been shared with the third party.
Ways to Mange Data Privacy as a User and/or Business
Knowing that Data Privacy is highly important to an individual and to a business, the following ways can help you manage data privacy;
As a user , understand how your data is been used e.g When installing applications which involves sensitive and personal information, go through end-user agreement and understand how your data will be used before accepting.
Secure your accounts; This involves using complex passwords and enabling multifactor authentications.
Change your password when you are notified of a data breach.
As a business, classify and prioritize your data, that way you can attach the needed importance to the right data. This can help in maximizing your privacy program.
Determine which data privacy regulations/law applies to your business
Minimize data collections and be open with your users.
Develop a data privacy policy for your organization or business.
Data protection is a business enabler for responsible innovation, and both public and private institutions can benefit from doing it correctly. Beyond data protection, ethics is an issue; it is not enough that it is not illegal; is it the right thing to do? I also understand that ethics is relative. We need a proper data protection law that ensures the regulator’s independence. The regulator must understand the task at hand, upskill, support compliance through self-assessment toolkits and guidance, ensure greater transparency through a timely complaint resolution process, and enforce the law. Businesses must see the value in investing in a privacy programme, developing a responsible business model, and adhering to data protection laws. For data subjects, know your rights, use your rights, and ask questions. – Ridwan Oloyede, Partner at Tech Hive Avisory
Contributors
Gloria Olu-Ogunkeye is a cybersecurity student and a freelance content writer .