Phoenix : This Annual Data Protection Day Phoenix Group comments on the importance of…

Roland Verhaaf, Data Protection Officer at Phoenix Group comment:

"The Annual Data Protection Day and our Data Privacy Week activities encourages everyone to learn more about data protection. We have an important role to play in protecting the data that our customers entrust with us, and in helping them to protect their data too.

During the course of this week, we have been building even greater awareness among our colleagues and sharing tips that will help our customers and our people to protect their data. We're also running 'meet the expert' sessions where our colleagues can hear the latest insights on how data affects us all.

We recently launched a new Privacy Hub on our Phoenix Group website, to support clear and open communications with customers, shareholders, investors and colleagues. It goes beyond the traditional 'privacy notice' of many websites, by including additional guidance and content to help people learn more on data protection, including their digital footprint.

Data Protection risks like financial scams are on the rise and it's vital that we all raise awareness and help people to protect their personal data."

Phoenix Group recommends some top tips to help people protect their personal data

1.Double check the permissions in your App - apps on your mobile device will often ask - or even force - you to agree to certain conditions around your personal data - such as having access to your location, for example, or your contacts, or photos - or even the camera or microphone on your phone! Always check the permissions settings for every app you download, and review them when you can, to make sure you untick any options you're not happy with.

Remember to take control of your privacy and advertising settings on social media apps and websites should give you control over how your personal information is used. Always check the privacy and advertising settings before using a particular service and review them regularly. The ICO has produced helpful guides on checking settings for Facebook, Twitter, and Google that you might find useful.

2. Be careful how much extra personal data you give away - using personal data such as your pet's name, your mother's maiden name, or the street where you live might be easy password hacks, or even fun answers to a social media quiz - but they're also often used as basic security questions, so be careful what you choose to share!

3. Take care when using public wi-fi - Public wi-fi is a convenience we take for granted, but it does come with certain risks. Hackers with a laptop and a little know-how can use wi-fi sniffing to connect to a network and listen to all traffic coming to and from your device, potentially monitoring and harvesting your personal data. Sometimes scammers even use "rogue hot spots" to encourage you to connect. Make sure you don't auto-connect to wi-fi networks, or log-in to any account that contains sensitive information such as medical or banking. If you can, switch off your wi-fi or Bluetooth if you're not using them.

4. Know your rights - Under the GDPR, individuals have an absolute right to stop their data being used for direct marketing. Receiving aggressive sales calls and emails can be an unpleasant experience! You can object verbally - this doesn't have to be in writing - and organisations must respond within 30 days.

5. Stay informed - Always read the organisation's Privacy Notice to see what you are agreeing to, what your data will be used for, and who it might be shared with. Organisations who use your data for marketing have a legal responsibility to tell you that's what they're doing.

6. Profiling - Sometimes organisations may use your personal data to analyse or predict who you are, what your habits are, or the choices you might make - and then use this data to make decisions about you, or contact you in the future. If this has a legal or significant effect on you, the GDPR gives you the right to opt out.

7.Remember, Social Media is not free - The organisations who run Social Media sites are "paid" by being given access to your personal data. They might then ask businesses what sort of audience they wish to target through advertising, and sell them that kind of personal data (it could include yours), for a fee. Always remember what you might be giving away, or how your data might be shared, when you sign up for a new social media account.

8. What is the size of your digital footprint? - Your digital footprint is a record of your online activity. It shows where you've been, the data you've shared, and the traces you've left behind. This record can be taken with your knowledge - for example through signing up for a service - or without it - such as sites tracking your activity through cookies or via an app

9. Set the right passwords - Use different passwords for different sites and apps, and always try to use non-obvious terms. It's always important to use Multi-Factor Authentication too, where available - using both something you have (i.e. a device to which a text could be sent) and something you know (such as a password).

10. Maintain good cyber hygiene - by deleting old accounts and apps you are no longer using.