It's a day to think about how we can better protect the data people trust us with. These days, nearly every business collects customer information, from email addresses to shopping habits. That's why keeping data safe is so important, and this day is a reminder that protecting customer information should be every organization's no. 1 priority.
We're excited to see more companies stepping up their privacy game. We believe that companies who take the lead in protecting customer privacy today will be the ones setting the standards for how we handle personal data in the future.
What is Data Privacy Day?
The 28th of January is Data Privacy Day, an annual day to raise awareness and promote best practices around privacy and data protection.
It’s the time of the year when companies can reflect and discuss the state of the privacy landscape, look at the future but also increase awareness within their organizations.
The history behind
Data Privacy Day traces its roots back to January 28, 1981. That’s when Convention 108 by the Council of Europe was signed – the first legally binding international treaty addressing privacy and data protection.
It took 26 years before the first Data Privacy Day was celebrated. The day was first observed as “Data Protection Day” on January 28, 2007, to mark the anniversary of this Convention 108.
What started in Europe quickly spread around the world. Different countries joined in, though some call it "Data Protection Day" while others call it “Data Privacy Day” instead. Today, some even turn it into Data Privacy Week, which takes place the last week of January each year.
Why privacy is more important than ever
The world of data privacy has changed a lot in recent years. There are two key factors behind this: new privacy laws and people becoming more aware of their rights.
New privacy laws and regulations
Many countries have created strong privacy laws to help people take control of their personal data. These include the European Union's GDPR, Japan's APPI, Singapore's PDPA, and California's CCPA.
These laws reflect a growing global commitment to protecting individual privacy rights and giving people greater control over their personal data.
People are more aware of privacy rights
At the same time, more people are learning about their privacy rights. A 2024 survey by Cisco found that 53% of people now know about privacy laws – a big jump from 46% in 2023 and a 17% rise since 2019.
As people think more carefully about how they share their data, protecting privacy and investing in data protection isn't just about compliance, it’s also about building trust going forward.
Our prediction: Forward thinking companies will lead the way
Data Privacy Day is an opportunity to look ahead and take the temperature on what role privacy will play in the future for companies.
We believe that companies investing in privacy and security now will be the ones leading the way in the next decade. Here's why we think so.
Privacy is a long-term investment
Privacy isn’t just a passing trend. It’s a fundamental aspect of building trust with customers and securing their data for the future.
Think of privacy like planting a tree. You won't see all the benefits right away, but over time it grows into something valuable that you can count on.
When companies invest in privacy, they show customers that they care about protecting their personal information. That builds trust.
Yes, setting up good privacy practices takes time and money now, but it pays off in the long run. Customers remember which companies take good care of their data. That's why privacy is not just a quick fix, but a long-term investment.
Work proactively, not reactively going forward
Too many companies wait until something bad happens before they take action. When a data breach happens, these companies rush around trying to fix the damage and figure out what went wrong. This is what we call being reactive – only acting after there's already a problem.
Innovative companies do things differently. They think ahead and put strong security measures in place before anything goes wrong. We help organizations work proactively by implementing privacy-enhancing software that adds an extra layer of security.
A good defense is always better than cleaning up after an attack. By taking action before problems arise, companies show they're serious about protecting their customers' trust.
Adapt, or someone else will
Investing in privacy and security software like ours won’t change a business overnight, but it will give them a competitive advantage in the future.
Think of Netflix, a company that started by mailing DVDs to customers. Back in 2001, CEO Reed Hastings had the vision to stream movies over the internet direct to our screens at home. For 10 years he experimented and got customers used to the idea of streaming rather than playing physical DVDs. The result? Netflix is seen as a leader in entertainment, while traditional TV is struggling to keep up.
The same goes for privacy. Companies that protect data well today will be the ones customers trust tomorrow. If you don't keep up with privacy protection, your competitors will – and you’ll eventually be left behind.
Get involved in Data Privacy Day
This day presents an excellent opportunity for organizations to evaluate their privacy practices and strengthen their privacy culture.
The Council of Europe, CPDP Conferences, and the European Data Protection Supervisors are hosting a hybrid event in Brussels, accessible both in-person and online. This event offers valuable insights into the latest trends and best practices in data protection.
If you're interested in learning more about data privacy and protection, consider attending the January 28th event. More information can be found at the CPDP Conferences website.
Curious to learn more?
Check out these helpful resources:
Partisia Newsletter – we keep you updated with insightful articles on the latest trends and insights within data privacy
