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Table of Contents
A Uniform Privacy Framework
When regulations and enforcement of privacy protections are predictable and consistent, consumers and companies gain.However, problems arise when the state laws and regulations become very uncertain, amigous or unlear.
Responsible countries are now taking the privacy issues seriously and strong privacy protocols are being devised globally. Having a uniform privacy framework is much needed in this dire times.
Businesses and individuals should be aware of the privacy laws and their right to privacy. Also, the companies should follow a well defined protocol, in order to maintain the trust of people.
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Transparency in Data Collection
Thanks to the GDPR framework that has emphasized on business being responsible and transparent about the data collection and use of it. But the focus of GDPR is limited to EU only.
Business worldwide should be very transparent with their customers, when it comes to collection, use, and sharing of their data. Also, companies should give customers explicit privacy disclosures that firms will follow.
Also, they should notify the user immediately in case their is a breach on their system or if any information is leaked. Users have the right to know if there have been any IP or DNS leaks. To ensure there aren’t any, companies should carry our DNS leak test, to keep users satisfied that their collected data is not vulnerable to breach.
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Flexibility
The devised laws and regulations for privacy should be flexible enough that they can be implemented with the evolving technology. If kept rigid, the privacy framework becomes hard to implement, which creates a state of chaos.
User-friendly privacy programs should be promoted in order to educated users and to enable businesses in adapting the privacy laws.
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Promote Efficient and Collaborative Compliance
Business should invest in compliance programs to protect users’ data privacy. Congress should encourage collaboration as opposed to an adversarial enforcement system. A
A federal privacy framework should not create a private right of action for privacy enforcement, which would redirect firm resources to litigation that does not protect consumers, in order to facilitate this partnership.
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International Leadership
Policies that promote free flow of data without any borders and bounds should be adopted to provide benefi to the consumers, weherever they are. We are in the age of globalization where industries are expanded beyond borders. This is why, having policies and frameworks that benefit people globally should be developed.
Leaders from all around the world should come together and join hands in protecting users’ data privacy.
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Encouraging Privacy Innovation
Privacy considerations play an essential part in product and service design, which benefits all consumers.. A uniform privacy framework would hold all stakeholders accountable for maintaining and valuing user privacy at every level of product and service development.
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Minimal Data Collection
Make sure that you have devised policies that encourage the collection of minmum amount of data/ Means, you collect only the amount of data you need to process an action and an amount of data that does not increase your liability.
Minimal data collection helps you in maintaining your system, and also helps you dave your storage memory.
Another thing that can be done is not to collect data but let users enter their data for verification. This model can be called ‘verify not store’ model. It will helo you be safe from carrying any liabilities on yourself.
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Be Open with Your Users
People have become more aware about privacy over the years and they have serious concerns about it. People require transparency from the companies, as to how they are using and storing their data. This very concern of users has been well addressed by GDPR, as it has made user consent important for collection of users’ data and its use.
By incorporating privacy concerns into your interfaces, you can ensure that users and their consent are included in your processes.. For example, having clear user notifications outlining when data is collected and why. You should also include options for users to modify or opt-out of data collection.
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Providing Users the Control of Their Data
Users should have the power to control their data that is being collected by companies. Being aware of their data collection is not enough. They should have the power and the liberty to make decision of how their data is being used and whether they even want it to be used or passed on to any third-party.
Clear policy framework needs to be enforced, making companies liable to allow users to handle their data collected by the companies. Users should have the liberty to even have their data wiped from the databases if they feel necessary.
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Enforcing the Use of Privacy Tools
The use of privacy tools like VPNs should be promoted and enforced (if necessary in some cases) to make people more cautious. Authorities should not have any problem with people going online by using a VPN or proxy as they are not harming anyone, rather protecting themselves from harm.
People have the right to their privacy and no one would ever appreciate their ISPs or governement agencies, tracking their online activity. This is why a structured framework should be introduced, promoting the use of privacy tools.
Also, the developers of these privacy tools should be directed not to keep user activity logs. Many VPN companies keep user logs and they sell it to the advertisers afterwards. This is a clear infringement of users’ privacy as it is done without their consent. This needs to be stopped and there should be a policy to penalize such acts by the developers of those companies.