In an age where manufacturers have decided that just about every device needs to be “smart,” it’s becoming difficult to avoid the data collection and privacy invasion that are often baked into these devices. We have come to expect that smart phones and speakers with built-in digital assistants are always listening, and data collection practices between companies can vary significantly.

When it comes to how employees get work done, personal devices are an ever-growing part of the equation. The 2023 Lookout State of Remote Work Security Report found that 92% of remote workers have performed work tasks on their personal mobile devices. While putting security controls on employer-owned devices is a no-brainer, the increasing overlap of personal with professional means that organizations need to think about how to secure employee-owned devices that are being used for work.

As data breaches continue to rise, businesses face significant financial losses. The recent $350 million loss incurred by T-Mobile underscores the urgency of addressing data theft. Despite these challenges, many companies overlook data privacy, extending the risk of further breaches. In this article, we explore why data privacy is crucial for businesses, and address important data privacy questions you should be asking now.

How often do you read and review the terms and conditions when signing up for a service? Or stay updated with the privacy settings of companies that monitor your data? We often hit the accept button to complete the signing-up process as quickly as possible so we can start using the product, whether it be for cloud storage, streaming, or video games. In doing so, we often risk putting our data in the company's control, leaving us unsure about how exactly they use this data or how they keep it secure.

Top tips is a weekly column where we highlight what’s trending in the tech world today and list ways to explore these trends. This week, we’re looking at three hacks to secure your online privacy. In today’s world, we exist online as much as offline. There’s few mysteries left in our lives. Most information you need about a person is a few clicks away.

As the adoption of generative AI (GenAI) accelerates across enterprises, one of the most promising applications emerges in customer support. GenAI enables automated responses, allowing businesses to engage in natural conversations with customers and provide real-time chat support. However, this convenience comes with inherent risks, particularly concerning data privacy.

Data breaches pose the most significant risks to our data. Despite the strict measures companies follow to encrypt and protect user data, sometimes the worst-case scenario happens, and you have been alerted that your data has leaked online. Many companies, from healthcare to social media, have been victims of data breaches. One of those major companies that made the list is Discord.

Navigating the line between workplace privacy restrictions and employee rights is getting more complicated as employees shift to hybrid and remote settings. According to Code42’s 2023 Data Exposure Report, data loss caused by business insiders costs companies an average of $16 million per incident. Moreover, 81% of companies believe that hybrid work is one of the main reasons data security training is necessary.