Data Privacy means protecting a person’s information (name, photos, phone number, location, etc.) from being misused, shared, or accessed without permission.
To understand data privacy better, we can divide it into four key concepts: personal data, sensitive data, data protection, and consent.
A. Personal Data
Information that identifies a person.
Examples:
- Name
- Phone number
- Photos
- Address
Anything that can tell who you are is personal data.
B. Sensitive Data
More private and very important to protect.
Examples:
- Health records
- Fingerprints/Face ID
- Aadhar number
- Bank details
- Passwords
If someone gets your sensitive data, they can cause serious harm.
C. Data Protection
How we keep data safe.
Examples:
- Passwords
- Encryption (locking data so only allowed people can see it)
- Two-factor authentication
Data protection is like locking your belongings so no one can misuse them.
D. Consent
Meaning: Users should know how their data is being used and agree to it.
example:
When an app asks:
- Allow location access?
- Allow camera access?
Consent means YOU decide what data an app or website can use.
Good Practices for Data Privacy
A. Do Not Collect More Data Than Required
If your attendance app only needs your name and roll number, it doesn’t need your:
- Location
- Contacts
- Photos
Collect only what is needed. Extra data increases risk.
B. Keep Data Secure
Encryption is like locking your data with a secret code. Only the correct key can open it.
strong passwords
Do not share OTPs
Use secure websites (https)
C. Follow Laws
Countries have rules to protect personal data.
In India, it is the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act.
In Europe, it is GDPR.”
Purpose of these laws:
Companies must protect user data
Companies must take consent
Users can ask for data deletion
Real-Life Examples
Example 1: Mobile App Asking Unnecessary Permissions
A torch app asking for:
- Contact access
- Camera access
- Location
Why does a torch app need your contacts?
Answer: It doesn’t. This is a privacy risk.
Example 2: Students Uploading Assignments with Personal Info
If a student uploads:
- Aadhar number
- Phone number
- Address
on an unsafe website, their data may be leaked.
Always remove sensitive information before uploading.
Example 3: Face Recognition Systems Collecting Images Secretly
Some apps take photos without users realizing it.
If someone records or captures your face without permission, it is a violation of privacy.