Internet privacy is the protection of personal and private data while online. It covers the right to choose how personal information is collected, used and stored by websites and apps as well as regulating how it’s sold or shared. It’s an ongoing issue as more people turn to digital technology for work, social interactions and daily activities.
Thousands of companies are competing for consumers’ attention and their personal data on the web. This can lead to an increase in phishing scams, cyberstalking, and other malicious activities. Neglecting digital privacy can also expose individuals to large-scale data breaches where sensitive personal information is stolen and exploited.
Privacy concerns often stem from the fact that information is not only easily searchable, but it can be stored indefinitely. This can allow aggregators and advertisers to build up detailed profiles of people based on their online behavior. In some cases, this can be done legally for marketing research purposes or by governments in the name of public safety.
For businesses, this means that they need to take steps to protect their employees’ and customers’ internet privacy. This is not only the right thing to do, but it can also help them stay competitive by protecting the security of confidential business information. For example, many organizations now have a remote or hybrid workforce and these employees may be using the same internet connections and computer systems for both personal and professional reasons. This can cause confusion and raise privacy concerns, so a focus on design centered on internet privacy is essential.