Two on Responsibility?

There are many users who are aware of the flow of information that circulates constantly online. Social networks, email accounts, instant messaging service, the cloud and hundreds of applications are part of our everyday life. But what about our data?

The idea is feasible, that after the sanction of The General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679, our position as users and consumers is 0.5689 % less disadvantageous than some time ago. Of course, the idea of a law does not protect us from potential damage to our privacy through the Internet, but it is an invitation to read warnings about the information we enable with a click.

Even if we try, we cannot remain on the sidelines of information traffic. We constantly use services that demand our personal data, such as a consultation of the movements in home banking or purchases at Amazon. Therefore, we must be responsible for the control of our information, be aware that many times we pay services that appear to be free online with our data. On the other hand, companies have some obligations:

• Seek the unambiguous consent of those affected for the use of data
• Notify regarding a breach or breach of security if a user’s personal data is affected.
• To respect the principle of accountability is the obligation to inform the term of conservation of the data.
• Give more information to customers, so that it is clear who is dealing with the damage, how and why.

Yeah, why not?

After a review of the implications of data management, it is also true that we must allow ourselves the opportunity to explore what the digital world has to offer. The idea is to be conscious of the risks involved in being online in order to choose and explore the available possibilities.

Here is an example. One of the concerns of today’s societies is the preservation of the environment. If you have heard about the evolution of mobility you will know that electric transport, shared means of transport and the famous public transport constitute one of the pillars of sustainability. Each of those uses its own digital platform to provide the user with a personal, comfortable and efficient service. It is not really surprising that private companies also have their fingers in the pie here.

Lufthansa Innovation Hub presented a mobile application, which has a kind of award for consumers of urban transport services that encourage the use of sustainable mobility services (car sharing, bicycle sharing, eScooter offers, public transport, among others). The idea is that with Rydes app, you can accumulate points for each sustainable journey that is made and finally exchange them for prizes. From my point of view, it is, at least, attractive.

It cannot be denied that with this application our data is the protagonists since we let one know which means of transport is our favorite. But the panorama changes when we know our rights and we can consciously choose, why and to whom we enable the use of our data. Undoubtedly, the digital world offers fantastic benefits that deserve to be enjoyed, so let’s open our eyes wide before clicking. Today the real and the digital world can be friends – best buddies maybe?