Celebrating Data Protection Day (or Data Privacy Day!) | Data Protection v Data Privacy | What Is The Difference?

• by Olivia Lawlor-Blackburn
• Advent IM Blog General

Data Protection vs. Data Privacy: What’s the Difference?

Though closely related, data protection and data privacy focus on different aspects of handling personal information:

• Data Privacy: Concerned with how personal data is collected, used, shared, and accessed. It emphasises ensuring that individuals’ rights are respected and that data is handled transparently and ethically.
• Data Protection: Focused on securing data against unauthorised access, corruption, or loss. It involves implementing technical measures to safeguard sensitive information.

While this distinction may be familiar to data protection professionals, today is about raising awareness. So, let’s explore these areas further.

What is Data Protection?

Data protection is about safeguarding sensitive information from unauthorised access, loss, or misuse, aligning with laws like the UK GDPR. Effective data protection policies ensure that organisations responsibly store, manage, and delete data.

Example of Poor Data Protection:

In May 2023, the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) issued a historic €1.2 billion fine to Meta for transferring European users’ personal data to the United States without sufficient protection measures. This landmark decision underscores the importance of robust data protection practices.

What is Data Privacy?

Data privacy focuses on protecting individuals’ personal information by ensuring it is collected, processed, stored, and shared in compliance with legal standards and ethical considerations. It involves:

• Controlling access to personal data
• Obtaining informed consent
• Minimising data collection
• Ensuring transparency
• Providing individuals with control over their data

Example of Poor Data Privacy:
A social media company collects users’ location, browsing history, and private messages without clear consent. This data is shared with advertisers without users’ knowledge, and the platform lacks adequate privacy controls, making it difficult for users to manage their data.

Who is Affected by Data Protection and Data Privacy?

Data Protection impacts:

• Individuals
• Businesses and organisations
• Data controllers and processors
• Government agencies
• Third-party vendors
• Regulatory bodies

Data Privacy impacts:

• Individuals
• Businesses
• Data controllers and processors
• Government agencies
• Third-party vendors
• Regulatory bodies

In both cases, these stakeholders must comply with laws to protect personal data, ensuring security, transparency, and trust.

Scope of Data Protection and Data Privacy

Data Protection involves strategies and technologies to secure personal data from threats like unauthorised access and breaches. Key aspects include:

• Firewalls: Monitoring network traffic to prevent unauthorised access.
• Access Controls: Restricting data access based on roles and permissions.
• Data Backup and Recovery: Ensuring data can be restored in case of loss.
• Incident Response Plans: Preparing to address data breaches swiftly.

Data Privacy focuses on the ethical and legal management of personal data. Key aspects include:

• Policies and Procedures: Establishing guidelines for data collection, usage, and sharing.
• Transparency and Accountability: Ensuring clear communication with users about data practices.

In essence, data protection and data privacy are two sides of the same coin. Data protection secures data through technical and/or physical means, while data privacy ensures that data handling respects individuals’ rights. Together, they provide a comprehensive approach to managing personal data responsibly and securely.

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