Is internet privacy a human right?

Like others enshrined in the constitution, internet privacy is a fundamental human right. Many governments and entities violate this right by collecting and tracking user data without consent. They can listen to phone calls, read emails, and monitor online activities. That’s how powerful these entities are. We must therefore take measures to protect our privacy online and ensure our rights are respected. There should be laws in place regarding how companies and governments collect data. Authorities should also limit how firms track and monitor our online activities. We can also use privacy-enhancing technologies to browse anonymously without surveillance. Preserving online privacy is ongoing, so you must update yourself to avoid potential privacy violations.

What countries have the strictest online privacy laws?

According to Privacy International's Privacy Index, countries with the least protection in terms of internet privacy include: 1. China 2. Malaysia 3. Russia 4. Singapore 5. England

Will the desire for internet privacy gradually decrease?

The need for internet privacy will only become more significant as time passes. Every internet user wishes for a case where government agencies, internet service providers, and internet corporations would allow them to browse freely without monitoring, tracking, and profiling. This is the ultimate internet privacy. Many internet users have also acknowledged that they have a role to play in safeguarding their data, as evidenced by the surge in the use of VPNs and other privacy-enhancing tools in the recent past. The trend is likely to continue as more people become proactive in efforts to protect their personal information. Therefore, the desire for online privacy will increase with time.

Why does online privacy matter?

The internet is unsafe without privacy because anything you do online can be visible to the public. With no way to protect your sensitive information, third parties, including hackers, would target you with all sorts of attacks. Online privacy and safety are the most critical features of any web application. These features allow you to control your data and who can access it. Sometimes the features are not enough to safeguard your data, and you need to use privacy-enhancing technologies like VPNs and embrace healthy browsing habits.

Is online privacy dead?

Probably, yes. This is because ISPs, governments, and other entities always seek to obtain our personal data whenever we use the internet. The data they collect can later be used to target us, putting our privacy at risk. Therefore, we are responsible for safeguarding our privacy and personal space on the internet. We must proactively protect our privacy by maintaining healthy online practices and using privacy tools like VPNs. Maintaining online privacy protects our sensitive data from falling into the wrong hands. Online privacy seems like a lost cause, but we can still take steps to protect ourselves and our personal information.

What is Internet Privacy, and Why It’s Essential in 2023?

Ali Qamar - Cybersecurity Analyst

Last updated: October 15, 2023

Read time: 30 minutes

This is an estimated reading time to let you know how long it will take you to read all the content on this particular PrivacySavvy.com page. However, it has a sneak peek, easy guide steps, and/or a quick list providing quick in-page navigations and easily-found answers if desired.

This article provides an overview of informational privacy by describing the information that is protected and why it matters.

Sneak peek at internet privacy

The term “Internet Privacy” or “Informational Privacy” is now commonly discussed among internet users due to the massive upsurge in privacy issues today. These interchangeable terms, having the same concept of handling the users’ online data, primarily refer to how the government and other organizations track, collect, analyze, and sell the data to third parties. Mostly, such data collection is without the respective users’ consent, violating their online privacy rights. With this detailed guide, let’s learn more about internet privacy and how it is crucial today.

Most internet users want to control how their information is collected and used. In addition, they wish to understand who knows what about them and how they learned it. But on top of that, users even more appreciate their informational privacy and security in the digital world.

Although, some users do not mind giving away their personal information to the service providers to improve functionality. However, most internet users want guarantees about who has the privilege to use personal information and to what extent. That’s why and how the terminologies like “data privacy,” “consent for sharing,” “data abuse,” and “privacy breach” trigger heated debates.

What is online privacy?

Privacy is a concept that has been around for ages, but the advent of the internet and social media has significantly impacted its meaning. Privacy means being alone and not being watched or interrupted by others. However, in today’s digital age, this definition has evolved to encompass protecting personal data and preventing behavior tracking without explicit consent.

When you go online, you leave digital footprints used by various entities to track your behavior, monitor your activity, and collect your data. This intrusion into your online life can leave you feeling exposed and vulnerable. Regardless of whether you are alone when browsing the internet, someone is watching and building your online behavioral profile. This behavioral profile is later used to target you with personalized ads.