People all around the world enjoy using the internet and are somewhat addicted to it. Everything is happening in the digital market, such as playing games and performing prompt transactions. And why not? It makes our life easier, smoother, and faster! But there are always two sides to the same coin, and in the case of the internet, it is undoubtedly at the cost of our digital privacy.
You may have heard the absurd term “When you don’t have anything to hide, you don’t have anything to worry about” but digital privacy is the most significant concern in the present times. Yes, you read it right; one way or the other, the data we provide online, which we never mean to share with anyone, might get abused via a third party. Sensitive details such as name, address, phone number, passport, or ID card number can be breached and misused.
This article will look at the types, concerns, and parameters to combat the invasion of digital privacy.
Types of Digital Privacy
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A person’s privacy
The features of an individual are the right to his privacy, such as biometrics and genetic identity. The right to privacy boosts the sense of freedom and contributes towards a healthy society.
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Behavioral characteristic privacy
Behavioral characteristic privacy is the privacy of a particular behavior or a habit such as behavioral patterns, sensual preferences, political beliefs and religious sentiments.
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Communication privacy
This type of privacy is related to the telecom industry, such as listening to private conversations, having access to emails, the use of bugs, etc.
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Privacy of personal data
The privacy of personal data and images carries concerns related to the use of individuals’ data, which is available without consent. For example, private data that is available for third parties.
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Intellectual privacy
The privacy to freely create opinions and think out of the box can have a beneficial society. Additionally, individuals must have full rights over what they like to share, and what they don’t want to share is called intellectual privacy. For instance, if someone voices their opinions regarding the ex- King of Oman, there is a suspicion that the government would automatically be tapping the individual for the next few days.
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Geographical privacy
The right to freely move around in public places without being monitored or tracked through devices is geographical privacy. For instance, in the wake of the pandemic, the Chinese government tracked all individuals through public cameras and restricted any potential COVID carrier to their homes. The right to geographical privacy ensures a healthy democracy.
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Social privacy
An individual’s privacy to freely meet other people without being tracked and watched can be called social privacy. Social privacy encourages a sense of association within an individual to demonstrate a sustainable world.
Top Digital Privacy Concerns
Digital users are massively at risk to the ongoing security threats, and there is an extensive list of concerns related to their safety. Here, we will only discuss the most concerning issues of digital privacy.
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Spying and snooping concerns
When you are digitally active, you are continuously spied on by numerous trackers for multiple reasons. These trackers record your digital activities and track your search queries to provide them a crystal clear picture of your identity and changing interests. In short, they are invading your personal digital space and breaching online privacy policies. The majority of the time, this is done for customizing ads that are then shown to you according to your interests. On the downside, it is also possible for cybercriminals to use your private information to perform illicit activities.
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Mishandling the information
The internet is filled with numerous sites that require your personal information in order for you to access their site. These sites may have cookies that can access your personal information, which may be used to optimize their website. Modern e-banking and e-businesses have paved the way for cybercriminals when you enter sensitive information such as credit and debit card details on the internet.
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Tracking location
Check-in at different places is the norm of social media platforms nowadays. Social media users proudly share their locations that give rise to location tracking. The data you share remains on the platforms that you use and is easily accessible. Even when you do not share your location publicly and have mistakenly switched on “track my location” on your mobile, you are basically giving up your geographical privacy.
Parameters To Mitigate Digital Privacy
Accountability
Digital users should hold themselves accountable enough when they use modern tech especially after ticking the “terms and conditions” box. Citizens must know the consequences of giving up the right, for example, voluntarily giving up geographical privacy when “Location Tracking” is switched on.
Additionally, citizens must be provided with the right to privacy by the government and universal frameworks. On the contrary, when users have not been given the right to privacy, and their privacy is invaded, they should be given the right to action under the legislative law.
Transparency
In order to effectively regulate digital privacy, universal frameworks should ensure transparency and honesty when citizens use the internet.
The following regulations can be practiced to ensure transparency;
- All internet facilities such as apps, websites, and tools must provide the reason for collecting data and ask for consent prior to doing to so
- Already published privacy policies must not be vague and have clear instructions
- The universal framework must set guidelines for companies to include in their privacy policy to avoid misleading the users
- Companies must provide a better understanding by running awareness campaigns to educate the world regarding data privacy
- Data privacy definitions must universally be available by international frameworks
Last but not least, robust regulations must be devised to protect the privacy of individuals across all channels. Experts recommend the use of identity verification solutions for securing the online space, along with the use of blockchain technology for safeguarding customer data online.
Concluding the Above
Digital privacy concerns, without a doubt, are problematic, but mitigation techniques can be regulated worldwide. Small steps towards the betterment of society lead to significant changes, and that is all that matters.
