data privacy

Meaning

The aspect of information technology that deals with the ability of an organization or individual to determine what data in a computer system can be shared with third parties. It focuses on how personal information is collected, stored, and used securely and legally.

Examples

• The company was fined millions of dollars for violating data privacy laws.

  The company was fined millions of dollars for violating data privacy laws.

• Consumers are becoming much more concerned about their data privacy online.

  Consumers are becoming much more concerned about their data privacy online.

• You should read the terms of service to understand their data privacy policy.

  You should read the terms of service to understand their data privacy policy.

• New regulations like GDPR have forced businesses to take data privacy seriously.

  New regulations like GDPR have forced businesses to take data privacy seriously.

• Encryption is a vital tool for ensuring data privacy in cloud storage.

  Encryption is a vital tool for ensuring data privacy in cloud storage.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We must protect our information privacy.

  ✓ We must protect our data privacy.

  While 'information privacy' is occasionally used in academic contexts, 'data privacy' is the standard, universally recognized term in tech, law, and everyday conversation.

• ✗ The website has a very strict data private policy.

  ✓ The website has a very strict data privacy policy.

  Use the noun 'privacy' as a noun adjunct (modifier) for 'policy', not the adjective 'private'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Many users are deleting their accounts due to concerns over ___.

  💡 The term for protecting personal information and digital footprints online.

  Show answer

  data privacy

• The new app update introduces stronger ___ controls for users.

  💡 Settings that determine who can access your personal information.

  Show answer

  data privacy