The Millennium Bug, who remembers that? Well here's a reboot, of sorts. When the clock strikes 23:00 on 31 October 2019, the UK is due to officially leave the European Union (EU) and our data will become low hanging fruit, being spewed everywhere.
While those countries in the Europen Union can look forward to expanding regulation regarding their data, what does that mean for you?
Margrethe Vestager--Executive Vice President-Designate of the European Commission, said that while Europeans have control over their own data through the EU’s world-leading data privacy rules, they don’t address problems arising from the way companies utilise other people’s data, “to draw conclusions about me or to undermine democracy.”
“So we may also need broader rules to make sure that the way companies collect and use data doesn’t harm the fundamental values of our society,” Vestager said in a speech in Copenhagen, Friday, September 13th. With great power comes great responsibility and as an Executive Vice President with great power, Margrethe Vestager is actively shaping the bloc’s digital policies.
The UK has a track record of leading change in the EU regarding the rules on data protection and retention. Brexit means that it would lose the institutional platform from which it has been able to use that influence.
Don't panic! However, I sense that some of you are filled with anxiety, hastily removing data already shared on social media in an attempt stop it being used unscrupulously. If that's not you, you may have chosen to limit the amount and type of data regarding your self on social media.
In any case, here are the basic "Best Practice" tips regarding your data.
Manage your privacy settings. Learn about and use the privacy and security settings on your social networking sites and Apps. You can control who sees what you post and what data is available to others as well as allow you to manage your online experience positively.
Keep personal info personal. Be careful how much personal info you provide on social media.
Read the Terms & Conditions. Always a great place to start as the purpose of these agreements is to inform users about the collection, processing, storage and use of their personal data.
Antony Walker of TechUK believes that “the best thing for the UK economy and for UK citizens is to stay closely harmonised with European law.”
Regardless of your position on Brexit, regulation of data to assist in the refinement of tech is on the way and you, as the users, will be the centre piece.
"It’s inevitable!"