This past week thousands of people around the world celebrated Data Privacy Day with a strong hope that data protection policies will continue to be enhanced around the world. New York is the latest state to enact a new law to protect employees from non-disclosed electronic monitoring in the workplace.
“Data Privacy Day Around the World on Data Privacy Day: January 28, 2022,” The National Law Review- January 28th, 2022
Many people celebrated Data Privacy Day this week and are hopeful that 2022 will be the year more countries and U.S. states enact data protection regulations. A major technology and consulting company predicts, “by 2023, 65% of the world’s population will have its personal data covered under modern privacy regulations, up from 10% in 2021.” Privacy regulations are currently being considered in 12 states (Alaska, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Washington). The major unanswered question that remains is whether we will see more steps towards a comprehensive federal law.
“New York to Require Employers to Disclose Worker Monitoring,” Bloomberg Law- January 26th, 2022
A new law in New York will require employers to disclose any electronic monitoring (internet access, video conferencing, etc.) to new employees. With the increased reliance on technology in the workplace, this law enhances privacy compliance requirements into businesses. The law will take effect on May 7th.
The metaverse is quickly becoming one of the most invasive platforms to users’ data privacy, with the disturbing ability to track uncharted user information (i.e. eye movement, etc). On the other hand, TikTok, in an effort to provide transparency to users, released top ways users can change their settings to protect their data while using the app.
“Metaverse vs. data privacy: A clash of the titans?” VentureBeat- January 28th, 2022
There are growing concerns about the negative implications the metaverse could have on users’ data privacy. One of the most shocking invasions of privacy is the “charting of eye movements on screen,” which allows advertisers to analyze “where your eyes go on the screen and how long you gaze at certain products.” Data privacy laws need to be updated to keep up with advances in technology.
“TikTok privacy settings to change now,” The Washington Post- January 24th, 2022
TikTok is changing their privacy settings, allowing users to have more control over what type of information the app can collect. The recommendations are 1) not to share your contacts, 2) limit ad personalization, 3) keep your profile anonymous, 4) make your account private, 5) limit how people can find you, and 6) hide what you like.