Is Data Privacy Still a Thing in 2024?

2024 is a Critical Year for Global Privacy as Canada Remains a Key Player in Data Protection as it Navigates Ongoing Privacy Reform

To observe Data Privacy Day, Managed Privacy Canada is pleased to announce its commitment to raising awareness and fostering a more secure digital landscape. But is DPD2024 or, as it has more recently been rebranded DPW2024, still relevant today?

“Relevant or not, it is more important than ever to report cybercrimes and privacy problems” says Claudiu Popa, certified privacy professional and owner of Managed Privacy Canada. “Through our partnership with Canada’s Cybersafety Foundation, KnowledgeFlow, it’s easier than ever to find an authoritative agency and file a report. I have even created a privacy-enhancing short link for everyone to use: https://Popa.ca/report” says Popa.

Data Privacy Day serves as a pivotal moment for reflection and action in the realm of digital security. Managed Privacy Canada recognizes the ever-evolving challenges in safeguarding sensitive information and is dedicated to empowering individuals and organizations with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the complex landscape of data privacy.

In an era where data breaches and cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated, the need for heightened awareness and proactive measures has never been more critical. Managed Privacy Canada emphasizes the fundamental importance of data privacy in maintaining trust, fostering innovation, and ensuring the integrity of personal and organizational information.

In anticipation of the year ahead, Managed Privacy Canada has compiled a comprehensive list of top privacy trends. These trends are poised to shape the data privacy landscape in 2024, offering strategic insights for individuals and businesses seeking to enhance their cybersecurity posture.

Top 7 Privacy Trends of 2024

1. Ubiquitous surveillance and data collection by tech platforms, retailers, the police and other state agencies pose vastly increasing privacy concerns.
2. Generative AI used in corporate and individual settings introduces new challenges for protecting personal information.
3. Educational technology particularly in public education raises privacy questions as schools adopt digital tools without data retention limits and online platforms with unknown 3rd and 4th party data sharing organizations.
4. Standardized Vendor Privacy Assessments: The threat posed by cloud technologies, the Internet of Things (IoT) and generative AI in schools necessitates careful consideration of its impact on student privacy, while placing the focus on standardized vendor risk assessments and making the supply chain more complex.
5. Protection of biometric data grows to be a priority as technologies like facial recognition and fingerprint scanning become top targets for organized criminals and extortion groups seeking big data.
6. Medical privacy concerns skyrocket with the increased use of connected health monitoring devices, smart watches, fitness trackers, and digital health apps that contain increasing amounts of PHI (Personal Health Information)
7. Ongoing developments in cybersecurity threats, including ransomware attacks and data breaches, stress the need for advanced cybersecurity measures and standards for regulatory agencies to enforce, particularly in Fintech and InvestTech.

As we commemorate Data Privacy Day, Managed Privacy Canada encourages individuals, businesses, and communities to help build a more secure and resilient digital world, where privacy is not just a right but a collective responsibility.