Is 'Privacy by Design' or 'Privacy by Default' The Best Option for Your Organisation?

Privacy by design and default is a system development approach that requires data protection to be considered throughout the system development process.

In different jurisdictions, the phrase "Privacy by Design and Default" may have different meanings.


What does Privacy by Design and default mean?

The GDPR includes a requirement for privacy by design and default, which requires a data controller to implement appropriate technical and organisational measures, such as pseudonymisation, when processing personal data to ensure compliance with data protection principles, including data minimisation (Article 25(1), GDPR).

Privacy by default necessitates that personal data protection be made the default setting for all of an organization's systems and services. The essence of this concept is that only personal data required for each specific purpose of processing are processed, and data controllers must structure their systems and processes to meet the concept of data minimization. (Article 25(2), GDPR).

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We understand that GDPR compliance can be daunting, with all of the new rules and ongoing processes to follow. Because every business is different, a one-size-fits-all approach does not work for everyone. Our GDPR lawyers will work with you quickly and affordably to understand your company's requirements and agree on a path to compliance.

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Is Privacy by Design and default required with the GDPR?

Prior to GDPR, businesses doing business in the EU frequently faced unfair competition from organisations that cared little or nothing about personal privacy. In such a climate, ethical businesses stumbled as they tried to figure out how to achieve a level of privacy that protected customers and clients without putting their businesses at an unsustainable competitive disadvantage.

The GDPR was one of the first laws to recognise privacy as a fundamental human right, codifying two fundamental privacy principles: privacy by design and default.

Privacy by design is the idea that when developing new products, services, or processes that involve the collection or processing of personal data, organisations should consider privacy as a first principle. When an organisation provides a system or service that allows customers to choose how much personal data can be shared, the default option should be the most protective.

Integrating these principles into the GDPR promotes organisational privacy hygiene. It also provides a framework for organisations to avoid taking security shortcuts in order to gain an unfair advantage over their competitors.

The harm that can be done to customer confidence and trust as a result of privacy breaches is immeasurable; therefore, the benefits of compliance are immeasurable."

What is the difference between privacy by default and Privacy by Design?

The reader is presented with two terms, both of which include the same phrase ("by design"), but each of which appears in a different time and place. What follows is an explanation of the differences, followed by a summary of the principles that apply to both concepts.

The "original" privacy by design approach was focused on designing the system in such a way that data did not need to be protected. The key concept here is anonymisation: a system designed to be "fully" privacy compliant would simply not include the disclosure of personally identifiable data to the data controller while enabling certain system functionality. In the context of fleet management solutions, an example could be drawn from the Global Positioning System (GPS) device – a vehicle's GPS device enables detection of geographical location without revealing the driver's identity.

In contrast, with "Data protection by design & default," the GDPR takes the position that processing of personal data is unavoidable; thus, incorporating "the necessary safeguards into the processing" is required. It also broadens the scope, making it a more multifaceted concept. It includes various organisational components that implement privacy and data protection principles in systems and services, in addition to the design of information technologies and systems.

What are the benefits of Privacy by Design?

As transparency and GDPR compliance remain important selling points for businesses, organisations should consider how transparent they want to be with their data subjects about their data processing activities. With the increased demand for transparency, the GDPR obligations can easily be viewed as an opportunity rather than an impediment.

It can also assist in identifying risks and opportunities ahead of time by conducting a Data Privacy Impact Assessment (DPIA). DPIAs can also assist organisations in further adapting their privacy by default and privacy by design considerations. Taking the time to successfully identify what is required, how it can be implemented, and, perhaps most importantly, ensuring that your audience is well aware of these decisions can go a long way in an organisation's compliance efforts and efficiency.

An obligation as well as an opportunity

Organisations that handle personal data are required to take the necessary precautions to protect that data. Adopting a privacy-by-default or privacy-by-design approach, or both, can mean more than just fulfilling a legal obligation. For an organisation that ensures compliance through privacy by design, for example, having data privacy as a priority embedded throughout the company can mean better business decisions by identifying and mitigating risks before they occur. Meanwhile, organisations that adopt the privacy by default approach can save money by storing less data. For example, a study shows that by the end of 2020, organisations will spend an estimated $3.3 trillion just to manage existing data, as well as reduce the risk of a data breach and reduce the amount of data collected from individuals. 

Finally, the two privacy approaches offer an opportunity to strengthen your organisation's transparency, dependability, and overall efficiency.

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We assist you in protecting your data and adhering to Data Protection regulations.

Our Data Protection attorneys advise your company on its obligations under data protection laws, such as the General Data Protection Regulation, and draught agreements to ensure compliance with applicable regulations.

Our team has dealt with data protection issues in a variety of settings, including human resources, outsourcing, licencing, and technology.

We also provide data protection training to your employees.

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  • Creating privacy and cookie notices
  • Ensure that your agreements are in accordance with data protection laws.
  • Analysing your current level of compliance with data protection regulations
  • Providing guidance on your responsibilities as a data controller or data processor
  • Advising on cross-border personal data transfers Advising on the use of the EU-US and Swiss-US Privacy Shields
  • advising on personal data security and managing data breaches
  • Data protection law training tailored to your company

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