January 28th was Data Protection Day—a global reminder that privacy isn’t just a legal formality or an operational headache. It’s a fundamental pillar of trust.
If your business handles client or customer data (and let’s be honest, that includes almost every business these days), you have a responsibility to protect it.
Yet, too many still see data privacy as an afterthought—something to think about only when a breach happens, only when the regulators come knocking, only when customers start asking questions.
The truth is: Privacy isn’t just about compliance—it’s about competitive advantage. Businesses that prioritise privacy build stronger relationships, enhance loyalty, and set themselves apart in a world where trust is the ultimate currency.
And it’s not just about business. It’s about people.
Why Everyday Privacy Protections Matter
Data protection is about more than preventing hacks and avoiding fines. It’s about protecting individuals from real harm.
Every time a company stores, tracks, or shares data without robust protections, it’s not just putting its reputation at risk—it’s potentially putting someone’s safety at risk.
Technology-Facilitated Domestic Violence (TFDV) is a stark example. Privacy failures, weak security policies, and a lack of user control can unintentionally enable abusers. From tracking location data to exploiting weak authentication measures, poorly designed systems can become tools of control and coercion.
Think about it:
- Spyware installed on a victim’s phone, allowing an abuser to read messages, track location, and eavesdrop on calls.
- Financial coercion, where joint accounts allow one party to drain funds or monitor transactions without the other’s knowledge.
- Smart home systems used to harass—turning off heating, unlocking doors remotely, or surveilling through security cameras.
- AI-generated deepfakes and non-consensual image abuse used to threaten or manipulate victims.
These technologies weren’t designed for abuse. But because risk and compliance teams didn’t anticipate these threats, they have become tools of control. This is why businesses must think beyond compliance checklists.
Four Ways to Embed Everyday Privacy Protections
So what can businesses do—not just on Data Protection Day, but every day?
1. Make Data Governance & Consent Meaningful
→ Data privacy should be proactive, not reactive. Make explicit consent mandatory for all data sharing, and ensure customers can easily control and revoke access to their data.
2. Think Beyond Borders
→ TFDV and privacy concerns don’t stop at jurisdictional lines. If your business operates across regions, privacy protections should travel with the individual, not reset when they cross a border.
3. Monitor for Coercion, Not Just Cyberattacks
→ Cyber teams already track fraudulent logins and suspicious activity. Why not apply the same vigilance to patterns of coercion—such as repeated password resets, changes in account access, or unusual tracking permissions?
4. Go Beyond Regulatory Compliance—Embed Ethical Privacy Safeguards
→ The real question isn’t “Are we compliant?”—it’s “Are we building safe, privacy-conscious systems?” Companies that lead with ethical privacy protections will be the ones customers trust the most.
The Real Cost of Ignoring Privacy
Some businesses still resist strengthening privacy protections because it feels too complicated or too expensive.
But let’s be clear: The real cost of inaction isn’t a fine. It’s the loss of trust.
- When businesses fail to protect privacy, customers leave.
- When privacy isn’t prioritised, vulnerable people suffer.
- When compliance is treated as an inconvenience, regulators step in aggressively.
A Final Thought
If your business had the power to prevent even one person from experiencing digital abuse, would you take that opportunity?
Because you do. Right now.
Every system you build, every policy you create, every decision you make about who gets access to what data has real-world consequences.
Data Protection Day shouldn’t be the only time we talk about this.
It’s an everyday imperative.
So, let’s move beyond just checking the box—let’s make privacy protection a competitive edge, an ethical responsibility, and a commitment to trust that lasts long after January 28th.
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🔗 Original Post by Kim Chandler McDonald
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🔗 Kim Chandler McDonald