Why should you protect your data?

Imagine walking around every day carrying your passport, your keys, your phone and all your bank statements in your hand - and often leaving them on a café table, on the bus or on a bench in the park without thinking about it. Most people would agree that's an unnecessary risk.

Yet digitally, that's exactly what many people do every single day - without even realizing it.

Every time we click “accept” on a pop-up, log in to a new service, share a photo or write a message, we leave little pieces of ourselves behind. When gathered, these digital traces can tell a detailed story about who we are, what we do, what we are interested in - and even predict what we are likely to do in the future.

It is precisely this information that makes us a target for everything from advertising companies to cybercriminals. And that's why it's important to protect it - not only for our own sake, but also for the people around us.

What is "data" really?

When we talk about “data”, many immediately think of numbers and technical details. But data is much more than that - it is the pieces that together make up our digital identity.

Many say: “I have nothing to hide.” But data security isn't about hiding anything. It's about the right to decide who knows what about you. Your data is personal because it tells the story of you - including the parts you might not think about.

Examples of personal data include:

Your name and address
Your social security number
Your email and phone number
Your photos and videos
Health information
Conversations and messages
Your searches and clicks on the internet
Where you are and who you are with

Even small bits of information can, when combined, give an amazingly precise picture of you as a person.

Different types of data - and why they are valuable

Data comes in many forms, and some types are more sensitive than others:

Regular personal data - information that identifies you directly, such as name, email or address.
Sensitive personal data - information about health, religion, political opinions, sexual orientation or trade union membership. These are specially protected by law because misuse can have major personal consequences.
Metadata - data about data. It can be the time of a message, the GPS position when you took a picture, or what device you used. Metadata may seem harmless, but when combined, it can reveal a lot about your habits and your life.

An important point is that data often becomes most valuable when it is combined. A phone number alone may not say much, but when it is combined with address, email and purchase history, it can be used for everything from targeted marketing to identity theft.

Consequences of data breaches

A data breach can happen in many ways - through a hacker attack, a phishing attempt, a misconfigured database or just an accident. Regardless of the cause, the consequences can be serious:

Identity theft - Fraudsters can take out loans, buy goods or create fake profiles in your name.
Financial fraud - Access to online banking or credit card details can lead to large losses.
Extortion - Sensitive information, private photos or messages can be used to pressure you for money or favors.
Long-term damage - Once data has been leaked, it can remain on the dark web for years, ready to be misused again and again.

A single leak can trigger a chain reaction. For example, a compromised email address can be used to reset passwords on other services, which in turn can open up even more sensitive information.

Information has value

It is a mistake to believe that data only has value if it can be directly converted into money. In reality, data is one of the world's most valuable resources - some even call it “the new oil.”

For businesses, data can be used to understand customer needs, optimize advertising and create new products. For political actors, data can be used to influence opinions, steer debates and ultimately change people's actions.

Entire industries trade data behind the scenes. The information is often sold in large packages where every little piece of data about you - what you like, who you know, what you buy, where you live - becomes part of a bigger puzzle. The more precise the puzzle, the greater the value.

The problem is that you rarely know who ends up with the picture of you - or what they will use it for.

Psychological manipulation and profiling

When companies or political actors know your interests, concerns and routines, they can tailor messages that hit precisely. Two people can look at the same news site but get completely different ads, headlines or “recommended content” based on their previous online behaviour.

Filter bubbles - You are mainly presented with content that confirms your existing views, while opposing perspectives are filtered out. Over time this can give a skewed perception of reality.
Echo chambers - You surround yourself digitally with people and content that mirror what you already believe and share. This can make it harder to spot manipulation, because everything around you feels confirming and “natural”.

In extreme cases, profiling can be used to exploit vulnerable moments in your life - for example if you search for divorce lawyers, pregnancy advice or job listings. The algorithms know when you are more receptive, and they know exactly which words and images affect you the most.

Myths about data security

"I'm not interesting to hackers" - Hackers rarely go after a specific person. They look for easy targets, and automated tools constantly scan the internet for weak points. If you have an unprotected account, you can be hit even if you don't think you are “important”.
"I have nothing to hide" - Privacy isn't about hiding something illegal. It's about the right to choose what others know about you. Even innocent information can be misused when taken out of context.
"It won't happen to me" - Millions experience data breaches every year, often without knowing immediately. Many only discover it when the consequences hit - for example when their account gets locked or money disappears from the account.

These myths make it easier to ignore the problem - but also much easier for attackers to succeed.

What can you do?

Protecting your data doesn’t require you to become an IT expert. Small changes in your habits can make a huge difference:

Use strong and unique passwords - preferably with a password manager so you don't have to remember them all.
Enable two-factor authentication on your most important accounts - it makes it much harder for attackers to gain access.
Be skeptical of links and attachments in emails - even if they appear to come from someone you know.
Read app permissions and terms before you click “accept” - ask yourself whether the app really needs all the information it asks for.
Don't share more on social media than you would be comfortable posting on a bulletin board at your local supermarket.
Keep your devices up to date with the latest security patches - updates often close known vulnerabilities.

Once you develop good digital habits, they become a natural part of your everyday life - and you significantly reduce the risk of losing control over your information.

In short

Taking care of your data is like locking the door when you leave your home. Not because you expect a break-in, but because you protect what is yours.

We shouldn't fear technology - but we should use it thoughtfully. When we protect our data, we safeguard not only ourselves, but also our family, friends and colleagues.