International Data Privacy Day aims to bring awareness to the best practices of consumer privacy and data protection on an international scale under this year’s theme: ‘Taking Control of Your Data’,
The day of recognition marks the first international binding treaty to protect people’s data, which was signed in 1981 by members of the Council of Europe. According to the Australian Cybersecurity magazine, the treaty calls for the right to personal data protection, the protection of human rights, the fundamental freedoms of every individual, and the personal autonomy based on a person’s right to control their personal data and how it is processed.
Data has evolved in leaps and bounds since the treaty, and industry leaders shared their thoughts with Mediaweek on the current state of data privacy and what still needs to be done.
Shai Luft
Shai Luft, Co-founder and COO at Bench Media
The spotlight on data privacy continues to grow—and for good reason. With the Consumer Data Right (CDR) expanding and updates to the Privacy Act underway, the government is finally catching up to the reality of how much of our lives we live online. But even with stricter regulations, the responsibility ultimately lies with all of us, consumers and businesses alike, to do better.
For consumers, think of your data like your wallet. You wouldn’t leave it lying around! Review app permissions, avoid oversharing personal information, and use tools like password managers and private browsers to stay in control. These small steps can make a big difference in protecting your privacy.
For businesses, data privacy is no longer just about compliance, it’s about building trust. Be transparent about how you use data, invest in secure systems, and stay ahead of evolving regulations. Consumers are savvier than ever, and they gravitate toward brands that take privacy seriously. Businesses that prioritise data protection can reap the rewards, from increased customer loyalty to higher conversion rates.
Think of data privacy like your health: prevention is better than a cure, and it’s never too late to start.
Richard Knott
Richard Knott, SVP APAC, InfoSum
This year’s Data Privacy Day theme – ‘You have the power to take charge of your data’ – has timely resonance for Australian businesses and consumers.
Growing awareness of data privacy has been the driving force behind meaningful regulatory progress worldwide, with further amendments to Australia’s Privacy Act expected this year to address first and third-party data collection. Yet, in a digital world evolving at breakneck speed, there’s a real risk that consumer understanding won’t keep pace with these changes.
It is therefore incumbent upon organisations to move beyond mere compliance and take a leadership role in empowering consumers with greater control over their data. This means ensuring customers have full visibility into how their information is collected, stored, and used. A key starting point is adopting Privacy-by-Design principles.
These principles require technology to embed robust privacy protections and security measures, fostering proactive risk management and treating privacy as a shared benefit rather than a trade-off.