With the ever-growing number of cyber-attacks and data breaches on the rise, online data privacy has never been more important to protect. And while it may seem like an abstract concept at first, it’s one that many people are still woefully unprepared to handle.
How we interact with the internet and one another online has changed dramatically in recent years, as also has the way our personal information is used to target us with advertisements.
Online data privacy has been an issue that has plagued the Internet since its beginning. Unfortunately, as technology advances, online data privacy will only become more and more difficult to protect.
Here’s a look at the top 7 data trends in online data privacy that you need to know about, so you can protect your private information and that of your clients or customers.
1. Increase in Biometric Authentication
Biometric authentication is on the rise. It’s a form of identification that uses biological traits or personal information. Biometrics are unique and are not subject to theft like other forms of identification, for example, ever-growing number of cyber-attacks numbers or passwords.
In addition, biometrics makes it possible for law enforcement officials to track people down because they can’t change their biometric data after committing a crime.
Biometric authentication is quickly gaining popularity because it’s more secure than other forms of identification. For example, facial recognition software allows you to authorize purchases using just your face.
On top of this, biometric authentication is also better than passwords because it doesn’t require you to remember anything.
With increased interest in the benefits of biometric security measures, there will likely be an increase in this type of technology in the nearest future.
2. Rise in Data Privacy Regulations Worldwide
Online Data privacy regulations have been rising in recent years, with more and more countries passing legislation regarding how companies should handle data. These Latest Trends in Online Data Privacy will likely continue into the future as users become increasingly aware of how companies and governments use their data.
Many people will opt out of using services that don’t adhere to strict standards for data protection.
The days when people were content with signing up for any service without giving a second thought about privacy will soon be over. Most people now know that anything they put online can come back to haunt them in the future, whether they like it or not.
With these new awareness levels, we may see an increase in the usage of technologies like ad-blockers or browsers that offer greater control over what user information is shared with advertisers and third parties.
3. A thriving Privacy Job Market
According to Cybersecurity Ventures, global cybercrime costs are projected to reach $10.5 trillion annually by 2025. Meanwhile, the 2022 Data Privacy Jobs Report shows a 30% year-over-year increase in the number of privacy jobs between 2020 and 2021. This is largely due to the growth of data breaches and cyber attacks that have made personal information more valuable than ever before.
As a result, companies are ramping up their efforts to protect themselves and their customers from these threats.
These numbers demonstrate how much people value their privacy in today’s world – and how critical it is for businesses to invest time and money into protecting it.
4. Customers Will Patronize Companies With Transparent Data Privacy
Customers will always want their privacy respected, but they’re also less likely to patronize companies that don’t have a transparent data privacy policy. People now use Nuwber to verify the authenticity of people and businesses as a safety precaution.
With so much personal information being shared on websites, it’s important for people to feel like their private information is safe and secure. That’s why customers are becoming more conscious of what the company is doing with this sensitive data.
As such, customers will become more skeptical when looking at a company that doesn’t seem open about its processes. And if there are any violations of this trust, the backlash could be disastrous for any business.
5. More Regulatory Fines will be Issued
In 2016, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) went into effect, meaning that European Union countries now follow stricter guidelines for collecting, using, and storing data.
What does this mean for U.S. companies? It could mean fines, compliance costs, and a decrease in their customer base. The GDPR affects all online entities, including online retailers, social networks, search engines that collect user data, and email service providers like Google or Yahoo.
Any company doing business in Europe must comply with new regulations.
6. Increase in Demand for a Centralized Privacy UX
Online consumers want more control over their personal data, and they want it now. With the continual rise of hackers and cybercriminals, more people are demanding privacy protection as a top priority for all internet users.
To comply with this request, many internet providers will offer centralized privacy settings that allow users full control over how much information is collected about them and how that information is used.
These new websites will be simple to navigate and include only the most important features, such as setting alerts when certain events occur on your account (such as when you log out or someone attempts to access).
These features will also allow you to delete old posts or clear your history after each browsing session. Major providers like Facebook, Twitter, and Google have already made strides toward providing enhanced privacy tools for their customers; we can expect similar developments from other sites in the future.
7. There will be No Cookies
A cookie is a small piece of data sent from the website and stored on your device. The cookie helps websites remember you.
You can use cookies for various purposes, such as improving your online experience, storing information about your preferences, or even remembering what items you have put into your shopping basket.
While cookies can provide convenience when surfing the web, companies also use them to track users’ browsing habits and collect their personal information.
Many privacy advocates argue that this allows websites to collect sensitive personal data without explicit consent. Consequently, some believe it will become increasingly difficult to use the internet without being tracked, which may lead many people to choose not to go online.
Moreover, many governments want this tracking method outlawed altogether, which means changes could be coming soon.
Key Takeaways!
Privacy has been a hot-button issue for years, and the general population is finally becoming more aware of its importance. As a result, there’s also been an increased interest in data protection tools such as VPNs and encrypted email.
With this new focus on online data privacy, many new trends will emerge surrounding online privacy over the next few years.
