When was the last time you took a selfie and posted it to Instagram? If you’re like me, you never have and the likelihood you will, unless forced to for promotional purposes, is pretty slim.
Why? Because you like or you value your privacy. Maybe your answer is a little bit of both.
While the Internet is a remarkable tool for connecting us, it also is a tool that can, in the wrong hands, be used for nefarious purposes. Exploitation of children. Human trafficking. Hiring a hit man. Causing financial ruin. Unfortunately, the list doesn’t end there.
This year, two important regulations went into effect that help safeguard privacy. The first, known as the General Data Protection Regulation or GDPR, is a broad-based regulation that regulates the data of individuals in the European Union (EU). GDPR doesn’t stop there, however, as any organizations doing business in the EU are also subject to GDPR. In other words, if a company processes and holds the data of someone residing in the EU, GDPR is applicable. GDPR went into effect on May 25, 2018. In July, California adopted the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 which is often referred to as a “lite” version of GDPR. This regulation gives residents of California ownership, control and security, according to caprivacy.org.
Today’s tip is to “get to know” your privacy rights. Take a look at GDPR and California’s regulation because something similar may be coming to an Internet near you.