Every app you use, website you visit and account you create collects some information about you. Data Privacy Day, held on January 28, encourages people and organizations to respect privacy, protect data and build trust online. It is a good day to review privacy settings, clean up old accounts and learn how your personal information is collected and used.
History of Data Privacy Day
On January 28, 1981, the Council of Europe opened for signature Convention 108, the first legally binding international treaty on data protection. It set out principles for how personal data should be handled as computers became more common.
In 2006, the Council of Europe launched Data Protection Day on January 28 to mark the anniversary, and it was first celebrated in 2007. The idea spread, and in 2008 the United States and Canada began observing Data Privacy Day. In the U.S., the National Cyber Security Alliance has promoted the day, and some years it has been extended into a Data Privacy Week.
Privacy laws have grown since then. The European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) took effect in 2018, and several U.S. states have passed their own privacy laws, giving people more rights over their data.
Why Data Privacy Day Matters
Personal information, such as your location, contacts and browsing habits, can be valuable to companies and to criminals. Understanding how it is used helps you make better choices.
Protecting privacy also prevents identity theft and fraud, and helps keep children safe online.
How to Celebrate Data Privacy Day
- Review app permissions: turn off location, microphone and contacts access for apps that don't need them.
- Update privacy settings: check settings on social media and email accounts.
- Delete old accounts: close accounts you no longer use.
- Use strong passwords: a password manager and two-factor authentication protect your data.
- Talk about privacy: discuss what is safe to share online with family members.
Celebrating at Work, School and Home
At work, organizations can remind employees about data handling policies, run a short session on spotting phishing, and review who has access to customer information. Privacy is part of everyone's job, not just IT's. In classrooms, students can learn what personal information is, why it should be protected, and how apps collect data; older students can compare privacy policies or debate how much data companies should be allowed to collect. At home, families can do a quick privacy check on devices together, set up parental controls where appropriate, and agree on rules for sharing photos and locations online. Help older relatives recognize scam calls and messages asking for personal details.
Fun Facts About Data Privacy Day
- Convention 108, the first binding data protection treaty, opened for signature on January 28, 1981.
- The U.S. and Canada began observing Data Privacy Day in 2008.
- The EU's GDPR took effect in 2018.
Data Privacy Day FAQs
When is Data Privacy Day?
Data Privacy Day is January 28.
Why is it on January 28?
It marks the anniversary of Convention 108, the first international data protection treaty, signed on January 28, 1981.
What is personal data?
Information that can identify you, such as your name, address, phone number, location or online activity.
What is the easiest privacy step to take?
Review app permissions and turn on two-factor authentication for important accounts.