Written by Nicole Willner, Chief Operations Officer
What is Data Protection Day?
Data Privacy Day (DPD) is a day to encourage and empower people to protect their privacy, control their digital footprint and escalate the protection of privacy and data as everyone’s priority. Data Privacy Day aims to increase awareness of privacy and data protection issues among consumers, organizations, and government officials. DPD helps industry, academia, and advocates to highlight consumer privacy. Goals for Data Privacy Day are to:
Increase awareness about the many ways personal information is collected, stored, used, and shared.
Provide education about privacy practices that will enable individuals to protect their personal information.
TIPS to celebrate Data Privacy Day Every Day:
When creating a Password, remember to:
Make your Password Long
Make your Password a nonsense Phrase
Include numbers, symbols, and Uppercase & Lowercase Letters
Avoid using obvious personal information
Do not Reuse Passwords
Start using a Password Manager
Do NOT share Passwords
Change your Passwords Regularly
Remember Email Safety.
Don't open emails from someone you don't know or trust
Avoid sending any sensitive information over email
Never open an attachment within an email from a company or person you don't know (or that you were not expecting)
Never reply to or click on links inside spam emails
Use a spam filter
Use antivirus software
Keep All Devices Locked Down.
Keep Security Options Updated.
How did Data Protection Day begin?
Data Protection Day is a celebration in Europe, Canada, Israel, 27 countries in the EU and the United States. The initiative to set aside one day to observe data privacy began in Europe in 2007 after polling showed European citizens did not fully understand their data protection rights. Commemorating it aims to encourage citizens to become more aware of personal data protection, as well as their rights and responsibilities.
Data Privacy Day began in the United States and Canada in January 2008 as an extension of the Data Protection Day celebration in Europe. It was not until 2009, the United States took notice of the EU’s Data Protection Day and introduced House Resolution 31 that Jan. 28 was to be declared National Data Privacy Day. The resolution passed, encouraging:
State and local governments to promote data privacy awareness.
Privacy professionals and educators to discuss data privacy and protection issues with teens in high schools.
Individuals to be aware of data privacy concerns and take steps to protect their personal information online.
Additional information and resources on data privacy are available at the following websites:
Sources: