Why Digitization Is Unsuccessful Without Data Protection

Digital systems and applications have arrived in people’s everyday lives. Data protection is of particular importance.

Digital systems and applications have become an indispensable part of everyday life. Artificial intelligence, home office and homeschooling, cloud and innovative home solutions, video calls, or apps such as Clubhouse, TikTok, WhatsApp, and Co. are a few examples of digitization. They are becoming increasingly important for companies and private individuals alike. The subject of data protection is closely interwoven with this development. Processes running digitally produce a large amount of data – often including personal information that is particularly worthy of protection. This means that data protection remains in focus in our digitized world.

Awareness Of Data Protection Is Increasing

This can also be seen from the fact that this topic is often up for debate, for example, in the context of the Corona warning app or the introduction of home offices. The new WhatsApp terms of use are currently causing a lot of discussion, and some users are wondering whether they should switch to another chat app. For users of the messenger service, everything remains essentially the same, but the debate shows that many people have become more aware of data protection in recent years.

This topic is also in focus in the current reporting on the Clubhouse app. After installing and activating the invitation, the app requests access to all entries in the address book and records conversations. However, the app rules don’t make it clear what the data will be used for. As seen in its data protection declaration, the provider may even pass on the information.

Digital Processing Of Data In Almost All Industries

For companies, data protection has played an essential role at the latest since the GDPR came into force on May 25, 2018 – not only in connection with espionage and hacking security, constant competitiveness or to ensure the long-term trust of customers, partners, and employees, but rather to continue to benefit from digitization. From Industry 4.0 to e-commerce and telemedicine to the use of mobile devices in the home office, digital applications, and thus the processing of data is used in almost all industries. This simplifies many processes and increases their effectiveness, but at the same time, it represents a potential risk. To use and process data, companies must protect them.

If The Data Protection Rules Are Disregarded, There Is A Risk Of Fines

The importance of data protection also offers a field of work in the future digital market because many companies need help with the correct processing of personal data or with their data protection declaration. After all, there is a risk of high fines and a tarnished image if the data protection rules are disregarded. Small and medium-sized companies, in particular, are outsourcing the complex issue to external data protection experts, as they often lack the human resources and know-how. Therefore, the need for specialists in this area will presumably continue to increase in the next few years.

The subject of data protection is closely interwoven with this development. Processes running digitally produce a large amount of data – often including personal information that is particularly worthy of protection. After all, there is a risk of high fines and a tarnished image if the data protection rules are disregarded. This simplifies many processes and increases their effectiveness, but at the same time, it represents a potential risk.