Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner
January 28, 2015
Data Privacy Day - January 28, 2015
Information and Privacy Commissioner Ed Ring reminds citizens to, "respect privacy, safeguard data and enable trust"
Information and Privacy Commissioner Ed Ring is encouraging citizens of Newfoundland and Labrador to value and protect their personal information, particularly when using and divulging this information in digital forums.
The reminder is in support of Data Privacy Day, marked annually around the world on January 28 to commemorate the January 28, 1981, signing of Convention 108 - the first legally binding international treaty dealing with privacy and data protection. Data Privacy Day aims to highlight the impact technology is having on our privacy rights, and to promote the importance of valuing and protecting personal information.
Our world is increasingly digitally-oriented, and with advancements in technology allowing for greater ease in the flow of data online, it is becoming more important than ever for people to be aware of their digital imprint and the possible ramifications of their actions and information sharing online. This year's Data Privacy Day theme reminds people about "Respecting Privacy, Safeguarding Data and Enabling Trust."
Some of the steps people can take to help protect their personal data include:
- Get savvy about Wi-Fi hotspots: Limit the type of business you conduct on public wireless networks, and adjust the security settings on your device to limit who can access your machine. Remember: public Wi-Fi is not secure and leaves you vulnerable to criminals.
- When you download an App on social media or your mobile device, you may be allowing it to collect personal information like your contacts list or location. If possible, look at an App's permissions before downloading and make sure you are comfortable with the information it collects. If the App doesn't tell you what information it collects, don't assume it doesn't collect anything!
- Ask permission before taking a photo or video of someone. Some people, even if they are your friends may not want their pictures taken and/or posted online. Respect privacy, and simply ask if it's OK first.
- Remember: even your smartphone is vulnerable to malware and viruses! Keep a "Clean Machine" by having and updating your anti-virus regularly. Malware and viruses can access and steal personal information, which can lead to identity theft.
- Software updates for Apps and products can modify privacy preferences to a default setting. This can result in less privacy and more sharing of information. Check your privacy settings regularly and often to make sure they are set at your comfort level of sharing.
- Personal information is as valuable as money. You are often paying for "free" services with your personal information. Before you willingly provide your information to a service, make sure it is a business you trust to handle your information with care.
- Demand privacy! You deserve it! Businesses should be open and honest about how they collect, use and share personal information. Any options provided to consumers to control their personal information should be easy to use and effective.
- Individuals may not be who they say they are. When you "friend" someone, you are allowing them access to your personal information as well as your friends and family. It's OK to limit where you share information or whom you allow as a "friend" or "follower" on social media. Remember: there are no awards or prizes for the most online "friends" or "followers"!
- The golden rule applies online too! Only post about others as you would want posted about yourself. Also think about how something you say online can be taken out of context or how others may perceive your post. Protect your online reputation: share with care - what you post can last a lifetime.
Always remember that being a good online citizen means practicing conscientious data stewardship: be proactive about privacy and vigilant about maintaining it. Taking control of personal information is useful advice for individuals, but also for businesses and organizations that collect personal information. Protecting personal information has much greater value to organizations than simply complying with privacy laws - it helps to develop consumer trust.
The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner joins governments, privacy professionals, corporations, academics and students from around the world, in marking Data Privacy Day 2015. As part of our efforts to further the data protection message we are joining with some participating organizations this year to keep the Data Privacy message going by launching Data Privacy Month from January 28 through February 28. Follow us on Twitter 
@OIPCNL for more information and tips, as we explore a new Data Privacy theme each week in February.
For more information on Data Privacy Day 2015 please go to our website: www.oipc.nl.ca , the Federal Privacy Commissioner's website: https://www.priv.gc.ca/resource/dpd/index_e.asp or //www.staysafeonline.org/dpd .
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Media contact:
| Ed Ring
Information and Privacy Commissioner 709-729-6309 |
2015 01 28 1:20 p.m.