Digital privacy comes at a price. Here’s how to protect it

Published in The Wold Economic Forum

By Robert Muggah

Data privacy exchanged for frictionless convenience is being compromised, stolen and leaked with disturbing regularity.

People do not consciously put a price on their online privacy and most are unaware of how much data they are voluntarily sharing.

We need a more coordinated approach across the public and private sector to tackle cyber security and enhance data protection.

The world is more wired than ever. Digital networks connect everything from office computers and bank accounts to baby monitors and pacemakers. Connectivity is blurring the lines between what is public and private. Privacies usually taken for granted – from web searches to heart-beats – are being steadily exploited in exchange for frictionless convenience. Meanwhile, personal data is being compromised, stolen and leaked with disturbing regularity. Promises made by cyber security companies of enhanced data privacy and protection ring hollow.

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