Privacy and trust are closely related, just as law and ethics are. The fact of the matter is that privacy preservation and security provisions depend largely on trust. When it comes to data privacy and digital surveillance, it all comes down to accessing, using, and collecting data for the right purposes.
Data privacy and digital surveillance are about freedom from any unauthorised access to private data, inappropriate use of data, accuracy when collecting data about a person by technology, availability of data content, etc.
Even though different cultures put different values on privacy or make it difficult to define a stable and universal value when it comes to privacy, there is a wide consensus that privacy has an intrinsic value. In mass communication, privacy embraces the law, ethical principles, etc.
Data Privacy Protection
Protecting data privacy is an urgent need, and this is a protection that is important because of the ubiquity of a technology-driven and information-intensive environment. Technology-driven business operations are most typical in contemporary corporations. The common benefits of this are that the marketplace becomes transparent and consumers become better informed.
On the other hand, the downsides include socio-technical risks that commonly come from technology and human users, along with the creation of more opportunities for organised and sophisticated cybercriminals to exploit. The risk leads to information protection being propelled to the top of the corporate management agenda.
There is a strong need for data privacy protection, as it is an important function to help develop and implement strategies for ensuring data privacy policies, standards, guidelines, and processes. The policies and standards must be technically efficient, economically justified, ethically logical, and socially acceptable. This is because implementation and contract signing are technical and ethical, and sometimes the information security decisions become complex.
Data Privacy and Digital Surveillance Principles
Data Collection and Purpose Principle: Personal data should be collected lawfully for a purpose that is directly related to a function or activity of the data user. In addition, the data subjects should be notified of the purpose and classes of persons to whom data can be transferred. The data collected should be necessary but never excessive.
Accuracy and Retention: Personal data should always be accurate and should not be kept for a period that is longer than necessary for fulfilling the purpose for which it is being used.
Data Use: It is important to use personal data exactly for the purpose for which it is collected or for a completely related purpose unless voluntary consent for an entirely new purpose is obtained from the data subject.
Data Security: The data user should take reasonably practical steps to safeguard personal data from unauthorised and accidental access while processing. It is also important to take into account the harm that can affect an individual during a breach.
Openness Principle: The data user should also make personal data policies and practices known to the public regarding the kinds of personal data it holds and how the data can be used.
Data Access and Correction Principles: All data subjects should be given access to personal data and allowed to make important corrections if the data is inaccurate.
Also, read this blog post: How you choose to communicate effectively and responsibly is the key to mass impact
There must be effective and pragmatic guidance for developing data privacy protection standards for two important reasons. The first is that the world is becoming more technology-driven and information-intensive, and the second is that data privacy is a primary concern for information security management.
Data privacy and digital surveillance in mass communication can help establish and improve a code of conduct. They must be viewed from an ethical point of view, and they should establish a code of conduct for all individuals in the media stream.
Chitkara School of Mass Communication offers comprehensive programs in the field of mass communication. With a focus on providing quality education, the school aims to nurture aspiring media professionals and equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in the industry. With its commitment to upholding the principles of data privacy and digital surveillance in mass communication, Chitkara School of Mass Communication aims to produce ethical and responsible media professionals who understand the significance of privacy, trust, and the ethical implications of data usage in the digital age.
