Data Protection Day 2022
Every year on January 28, Data Protection Day is celebrated (for Europe), while Data Privacy Day for those who do not belong to the union.
In any case, it is an opportunity to reflect on the relevant issues related to personal data protection and privacy.
Today I submit to the reader’s attention some reflections in three main points.
First - Being aware that times have changed
This is what I wrote some time ago and it is a fundamental aspect but, at the same time, the main starting point.
We must be ready to face challenges but with a change of mindset.
There is no doubt that for some time we have been in a new era of data protection and privacy, but unfortunately this is not perceived by everyone, so much so that we still hear talk of personal data protection with an approach not adequate to current times.
The GDPR is a revolution, and most of us struggle to enter the new conceptual dimension of data protection.
Second - Being able to identify the challenges or have an idea of them.
What are the challenges?
We should be aware of the changes.
It is enough to read some current news on the Internet to understand what is happening.
For example, I refer to the growing data traffic on the Internet (we already know about big data); currently, the dimension is Zettabytes. However, we continue to refer to smaller quantities, almost as if nothing had changed.
In 2018 IBM made a prediction: in 2020 we would reach 40 Zettabytes (almost 43 trillion GB). Now we are in 2022, and I am sure that people still ignore the current and future dimensions of network traffic.
The questions are:
- “Where does our mind point?”
- “What is our idea about technological development?” and consequently,
- “What is our approach to the impact that innovation can have on personal data and privacy?”
Two years ago I created a model, specifically the Data Protection and Privacy Relationships Model (its acronym is DAPPREMO).
DAPPREMO is a relational model based on advanced mathematics and set theory that can be used both now and in the future because it provides support for a correct approach.
The DAPPREMO logo is what in mathematics is defined as a fiber bundle where each intersection of the lines constitutes an object existing in our reality. Yet, we probably do not see these objects or do not consider them when approaching and addressing privacy issues.
Third - Focusing on the main challenges
Looking inside the room where we work is not productive.
Only a broader vision that takes into account what is happening in the world, at least at a macro level, can be useful.
The observation of the most innovative phenomena, discussed internationally, that have an impact on personal data protection and privacy is certainly indicative and provides a clear and defined picture.
Therefore, from this observation let us try to indicate the main challenges that could have an impact on personal data, privacy and human rights:
- cybersecurity;
- artificial intelligence;
- online digital identity;
- robotics and ethics;
- technologies used in neurosciences and neurobiosciences;
- connected and autonomous driving cars;
- cloud computing between hybrid cloud strategies and secure public cloud;
- Web 3.0;
- Internet of Things and Edge Computing;
- systems and solutions for correct digital communication.
The aforementioned list, certainly not exhaustive, provides an idea of how complex the issues related to personal data protection, privacy and human rights are.
Just to give an example, regarding the last point which refers to correct digital communication, trivially today many are still not clear about the difference between private and work communication.
Individuals who work in both the public and private sectors use centralized messaging applications to communicate with users and customers respectively that are probably exposed to non-compliance with the discipline on personal data protection.
It is not possible to use those apps to send documents containing “sensitive” information as well as confidential messages.
Contributions on Web 3.0 (Web3) are known: semantic web, blockchain and decentralized. Few aspects that express, however, all their complexity. What could be the impact on personal data, privacy and human rights?
The purpose of this modest contribution is to put on the table the main (at least the most discussed) challenges we face, so as to start a reflection on what awaits us.
Happy Data Protection Day 2022!!