Data privacy
Data privacy refers to the responsible collection, use, and management of personal data to protect individuals’ rights and comply with legal and ethical standards.
What is data privacy?
Data privacy is the practice of ensuring that personal data is collected, processed, stored, and shared in ways that respect individuals’ rights and comply with applicable laws. It focuses on protecting information that can identify an individual—such as names, contact details, financial information, and online identifiers—from unauthorized access or misuse.
Modern privacy frameworks such as the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) define the legal obligations organizations must meet to maintain transparency, security, and accountability when handling personal data.
Why data privacy matters
Data privacy is fundamental to earning and maintaining trust in a digital economy. It ensures individuals retain control over their personal information and how it is used.
Regulations like the GDPR, CPRA, and Brazil’s LGPD establish rights for individuals to access, correct, delete, or restrict the use of their personal data. Organizations that prioritize data privacy reduce regulatory risks, safeguard brand reputation, and foster customer confidence.
Strong data privacy programs also help prevent breaches, limit liability, and align business operations with ethical and societal expectations around responsible data use.
How data privacy is used in practice
- Implementing privacy notices that explain how personal data is collected and used
- Conducting DPIAs to evaluate privacy risks before launching new data initiatives
- Applying data minimization and retention policies to limit unnecessary processing
- Managing DSARs to honor individual rights requests
- Integrating privacy by design principles into product development and system architecture
- Training employees to identify and mitigate privacy risks
Related laws & standards
- EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
- California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)
- California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA)
- Brazil General Data Protection Law (LGPD)
- ISO/IEC 27701 (Privacy Information Management)
How OneTrust helps with data privacy
OneTrust enables organizations to build and maintain comprehensive privacy programs by automating compliance workflows, managing individual rights requests, and monitoring data protection obligations. The platform helps operationalize privacy across departments and jurisdictions to meet evolving global standards.
[Explore Solutions →]
FAQs about data privacy
Data privacy governs how personal data is collected, used, and shared, while data protection refers to the security measures that safeguard that data from unauthorized access or loss.
Responsibility typically lies with a Data Protection Officer (DPO), supported by privacy, legal, and IT teams. Executive oversight ensures privacy policies align with business goals and regulatory requirements.
The GDPR defines data privacy principles such as transparency, fairness, and accountability. By following these principles, organizations can lawfully process personal data and demonstrate compliance.
