North Carolina Governor Josh Stein has officially designated January 28 as Data Privacy Day, a move that underscores the state's commitment to encouraging citizens to take control of their personal information. This declaration is part of a larger international effort known as Data Privacy Week, aimed at raising awareness about data protection and fostering trust in digital spaces. As reported by N.C. Department of Information Technology's official press release, Stein urged North Carolinians, "Please take action to protect your data and get informed on new risks to your privacy."
Highlighting the value of individual data in the face of exploitation, Stein's proclamation comes at a time when data breaches and identity thefts are increasingly commonplace. N.C. Department of Information Technology Secretary Teena Piccione emphasized the state's objective to enlighten residents on practical data privacy methods and the state's own efforts to secure data, especially, in this rapidly evolving digital age.
Martha Wewer, North Carolina's chief privacy officer, revealed some pressing questions every person should ask before sharing personal information online: "Is it worth it?", "Is it relevant?", "Can I control it?", "Should I keep it?", and "Should I post it?". Furthermore, Wewer cautioned on the interaction with generative AI, advising users to avoid sharing private details as these systems have the capacity to learn from user inputs and might harvest information shared publicly on the internet.
The Office of Privacy and Data Protection is spearheading the state's initiative to ensure responsible handling and use of data. The department is also extending education and training to state employees on maintaining data security. Throughout Data Privacy Week, NCDIT will be disseminating privacy tips and resources on social media under the hashtag #DataPrivacyWeek, and citizens are encouraged to join in this campaign to fortify their digital privacy knowledge base.
To support public education on the subject, the NCDIT also recommended talking to family members and peers about the significance of data privacy and ensuring that they are cognizant of the necessary steps for safeguarding personal information. The full proclamation and additional data privacy tips can be accessed through the NCDIT website.
