We are in a historical moment in which the digital permeates every aspect of our existence, mediating our working relationships, our social relations and, in general, a large part of our daily activities. For this reason, today more than ever, it is crucial to reaffirm the importance of personal data protection, working towards spreading awareness on the issue and rebuilding a true culture of privacy.
This and more was discussed on Thursday 27 February in the webinar organised by the Foundation for Digital Sustainability for the presentation of its research ‘Privacy and Security‘, the main results of which have already been recounted here in Tech Economy 2030.
The results of the research show some confusion on the topic on the part of the respondents, especially in the relationship between user experience and privacy protection when using certain services. “The Report highlights the complexity of an evolving topic. Onthe one hand, a widespread belief emerges that technological advances can redefine traditional privacy boundaries; on the other, there is a growing perception that social platforms hold too much power, both in the processing of personal data and in shaping the public debate,’ commented Giovanni Battista Gallus, a member of the Foundation’s Scientific Committee, in his opening keynote speech. “However, the responses regarding the personalisation of services and the efficiency of platforms reveal a tendency to undervalue data protection when it clashes with the goal of achieving a superior user experience. This highlights the need to strike a new balance between market needs and the protection of fundamental rights. A balance that requires not only a strict regulatory framework, but also a greater individual and collective awareness of the importance of privacy as a fundamental right and pillar of genuine digital sustainability‘.
A confusion that, in the second keynote of the day, Giuliano Castigliego, a member of the Foundation’s Scientific Committee, interpreted from an interesting psychological perspective. “What emerges is a paradox: 66% consider privacy a priority value, but 65% are willing to sacrifice it for useful services. This reflects a tension between the authenticity of the ego and the construction of the digital self. The search for online recognition pushes many to compromise, fuelling confusion between the real self and the false digital self, with the risk of identifying completely with one’s online image and losing awareness of one’s authentic identity‘.
Focusing on training to create awareness
What is lacking, therefore, seems to be an adequate knowledge of digital and the dynamics intrinsic to its adoption. For this reason, one of the topics on which the experts at the round table insisted most was that of education. “Looking at the research data, I believe that education on these topics, regarding digital at 360 degrees, must be strongly pushed on the entire population,” explained Irene Sardellitti, National Technology Officer of Microsoft Italia. “As Microsoft, we have been going to schools, to companies, for some time now, to talk about digital, artificial intelligence, privacy, and we find a bit of everything that has been talked about today: inexperience, confusion, fear of what is unknown. Just like education, fundamental in this direction is also transparency on the part of companies, that is, making it clear what happens when you enter the digital world and when you share data‘.
As highlighted by the research results, the uncertainty in the interviewees’ opinions also concerns the implications of using social media. Tools that are increasingly at the centre of our sociality and not only that, as pointed out by Tiziana Catarci, Director of DIAG at Sapienza University of Rome, bring with them risks of which it is essential to be aware. “The survey results show that a significant proportion of users are not fully aware of the privacy risks involved in sharing their personal information on social media, and greater digital literacy is needed to enable individuals to make informed choices on this issue. In fact, personal data are usually collected, analysed and monetised by companies that own social media, with risks such as profiling, targeted advertising and mass surveillance, or even worse if data are misused or misappropriated by third parties for malicious purposes. It is interesting that the survey highlights, at least in part, the responsibility of platforms to ensure transparency and give users more control over their data‘.
In some sectors more than others, however, awareness of the risks increases, generating greater and more spontaneous attention to security on the part of users in the adoption of online services: in banking, for example, where, however, highlighted Giuseppe Cardillo, Head of Architecture & Innovation of the BCC Iccrea Group, information campaigns towards customers maintain their centrality: ‘when it comes to their banking data, customers are much more sensitive, and therefore much less inclined to take shortcuts. Moreover, in the space between the user’s sensitivity and his ability to make a conscious use of technology, there is an important factor, which is that of the regulator: apart from European regulations, banks and banking groups like ours are subject at European level to a whole series of stringent controls and regulations, in the area of security and monitoring of the risks associated with the use of certain services. In addition, for a bank, the reputational aspect is also fundamental: for this reason, the information campaign aimed at customers is also of great importance, with the aim of pushing them to have a satisfactory level of awareness and to continuously inform them about the risks related to the use of technology‘.
Privacy & Security: a win-win situation
But if users must be well aware of the risks to their privacy in the online environment, security and data protection obviously also concerns companies and organisations that must commit to guaranteeing it. And which, in this direction, as pointed out by Domenico Squillace, President of UNINFO, can count on important tools: ‘UNINFO’s areas of expertise include information security and data protection, which are two intimately linked themes. We are in an era where digitisation pervades every aspect of our society, so we need a ‘compass’ to orient us in this ever-changing landscape, one that plays a strategic role in ensuring information security and effective data protection. This compass is technical standardisation: a tool that allows, by following standards, not only to have a competitive advantage in the markets, but also to have tangible evidence of quality and reliability, which are the increasingly crucial elements in the digital economy‘.
In other words, ensuring the privacy and security of users can also generate an important economic return, and it is also this, as highlighted in the panel discussion, that is driving many organisations to pay more attention to these aspects. “The research highlights how privacy represents a crucial challenge for digital sustainability. Although significant differences emerge between large urban contexts and small towns, it is clear that a significant part of the population considers it fundamental that digital platforms guarantee maximum respect for privacy and the protection of personal data,” explained Massimo Crubellati, Country Manager of CAST Software. “In large urban centres, in particular, respect for privacy principles is often considered a priority over the creation of more personalised and appealing services. This growing focus on digital privacy is driving digital enterprises, both B2C platforms and service providers, to strengthen their digital security levels. It is no longer just a matter of complying with regulations, but of responding to an increasingly attentive market demand.