Data Privacy Day

Washington, DC, Oct. 28, 2014 – With more than 11 million Americans experiencing identity theft each year, National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) is devoting its fifth and final week to cybercrime and law enforcement.

Data Privacy & Protection Day (DpD) is an international holiday that occurs every January 28. The Convention for the Protection of Individuals with regard to Automatic Processing of Personal Data was opened for signature by the Council of Europe on January 28, 1981.

The purpose of Data Privacy Day is to raise awareness and promote privacy and data protection best practices. It is currently observed in the United States, Canada, and 47 European countries.

Data Privacy Day’s educational initiative originally focused on raising awareness among businesses as well as users about the importance of protecting the privacy of their personal information online, particularly in the context of social networking. The educational focus has expanded over the past four years to include families, consumers and businesses. In addition to its educational initiative, Data Privacy Day promotes events and activities that stimulate the development of technology tools that promote individual control over personally identifiable information; encourage compliance with privacy laws and regulations; and create dialogues among stakeholders interested in advancing data protection and privacy. The international celebration offers many opportunities for collaboration among governments, industry, academia, nonprofits, privacy professionals and educators.

In response to the increasing levels of data breaches and the global importance of privacy and data security, in 2010 the Online Trust Alliance (OTA) and dozens of global organizations embraced Data Privacy Day as Data Privacy & Protection Day, emphasizing the need to look at the long-term impact to consumers of data collection, use and protection practices. Other organizations including the National Cyber Security Alliance work to coordinate Data Privacy Day activities in the U.S.

“Almost all kinds of crimes now have a digital component. Whether it is Identity theft, scams, stalking or domestic violence, criminals have found ways to use our devices against us,” said Michael Kaiser, NCSA executive director. “By educating consumers and those entrusted to keep them safe – police officers and other public safety officials – we can create a safer and more secure digital culture better able to prevent crimes and support victims.”

Source: wikipedia.org | otalliance.org | staysafeonline.org