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4.2 DATA PRIVACY
Data privacy refers to managing personal information, such as your name, address, email, social security
number, browsing history, online transactions, health records, or location data, to ensure control over how it
is collected, used, and accessed. It focuses on proper handling, processing, storage, and usage of sensitive
data, including personal and confidential information like financial and intellectual property data, to meet
regulatory requirements while protecting confidentiality and integrity.
The primary purpose of data privacy is to safeguard personal information from unauthorised access, theft,
or misuse and to empower individuals with control over how their data is used while respecting their privacy
rights. It is a fundamental human right, especially significant in the digital age, where vast amounts of personal
data are collected and processed by companies, organisations, and governments.
Given below are some real-world examples:
Ð ÐPhotographer: A copyright protects a photographer’s images, allowing them to control their reproduction
and usage.
Ð ÐMusic Producer: Copyright protects songs or albums, ensuring only the producer can authorise their sale
or distribution.
Ð ÐAuthor: An author holds the copyright to their book, giving them the legal right to control its publication,
distribution, and reproduction.
Real-World Data Breaches
As our dependence on digital platforms grows, so do the risks associated with storing and managing sensitive
information online. Organisations across sectors, from travel and social media to food and retail have fallen
victim to data breaches and cyberattacks, highlighting the urgent need for robust cybersecurity measures and
responsible data handling practices.
For example:
Ð ÐRailYatri Data Breach (2020): Data of over 700,000 users, including email IDs, passwords, and travel
details, was leaked, showing the risks of inadequate data protection in travel and ticketing services.
Ð ÐLinkedIn Data Leak (2021): Data of 700 million users, including names, emails, and professional details,
was scraped and posted for sale online, underlining risks related to publicly accessible data.
Ð ÐHaldiram’s Data Breach (2020): The company suffered a ransomware attack where sensitive files including
financial data and business records, were stolen and leaked, illustrating how cyberattacks target businesses.
Case Study: Data Privacy
Imagine having a special box where you store your favourite toys, drawings, or notes. Data privacy is like
keeping that box safe and deciding who can peek inside. When you share a secret with a friend, it's similar
to sharing your personal data. It's fine to share with friends you trust, but you wouldn’t want to share it
with everyone. Similarly, websites and apps often ask for your secrets—like your name, where you live, or
the games you enjoy. It’s important to think carefully about who you share this information with and why.
Importance of Data Privacy
Data privacy isn’t just about securing personal details like your name or address—it’s a vital aspect of your
online liberty, self-governance, and protection against risks. Excessive data collection opens doors to profiling
and targeted ads, which could subtly steer your decisions. On top of that, breaches and unauthorised access
may lead to identity theft or financial setbacks.
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