Data Privacy Day

I. Overview

Data Privacy Day (also known as Data Protection Day) is observed every year on 28 January to promote safeguarding personal information, responsible data handling, and digital rights. It raises awareness among individuals, institutions, and governments about protecting privacy in an increasingly connected world.

II. Significance of the Theme

The present theme, “Take control of your privacy”, emphasises personal agency in the digital space. While laws and regulations are essential, individuals also play a crucial role in protecting their own data through informed choices and everyday actions.

The theme highlights 3 key ideas:

• Awareness: understanding what data is collected, by whom and for what purpose

• Choice: actively managing privacy settings, permissions and data sharing

• Responsibility: recognising that digital behaviour has long-term privacy implications

III. What is Data Privacy?

Data privacy refers to the proper handling, processing, storage and protection of personal information. It ensures that individuals have control over how their data is collected, used, shared and retained. Data privacy is closely related to data protection, but they are not the same. It focuses on technical and organisational safeguards such as encryption, access controls and cybersecurity measures. It also focuses on rights, ethics and accountability.

IV. Quick Facts Data Privacy and Theft?

1. Personal data is one of the most valuable digital assets today.
2. Over 5 billion people worldwide use the internet, generating massive volumes of personal data every second.
3. Over 2,200 cyberattacks occur daily around the world.
4. Weak passwords remain a leading cause of data compromise.
5. More than 80% of data breaches involve human error or social engineering.
6. In 2023 alone, global data breaches exposed over 6 billion records.
7. Only half of countries globally have comprehensive data protection laws.
8. Phishing scams are a major source of personal data theft.
9. Identity theft affects an estimated 1 in 15 people worldwide each year.
10. Healthcare data breaches expose records at a rate 2-3 times higher than other industries due to sensitive and valuable data.
11. Children’s data is increasingly targeted, with 1 in 3 internet users globally being under the age of 18.

V. A Brief History of Data Privacy Day

1981: Convention 108, the first binding international treaty on data protection, is opened for signature in Europe.

2006: Data Privacy Day is first observed in Europe as Data Protection Day.

2007: Council of Europe designates January 28 as Data Protection Day.

2008: The United States begins formally marking the date as Data Privacy Day.

2010s: Rapid growth of social media, smartphones and cloud computing raises global privacy concerns.

2019-22: Increased digitalisation during the pandemic intensifies data collection and surveillance debates.

VI. How to Observe Data Privacy Day?

• Review and update privacy settings on apps, devices and social media platforms.

• Use strong, unique passwords and enable 2-factor authentication.

• Learn how organisations collect and use personal data.

• Educate children and older adults about online privacy risks.

• Avoid sharing sensitive information unnecessarily.

• Promote privacy-by-design practices in workplaces and institutions

References

Data Privacy Day

Data Privacy Day – Council of Europe

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