Dear Editor,

Ever heard that data is the new oil? Yes, our names, browsing habits, and even our lingo serve as high-value fuel in a digital world. Every time we join a WhatsApp group chat, use public Wi-Fi, apply for a job online, or even ask ChatGPT to revamp our resume, our data is moving and most of us don’t even know where it’s going.

Data privacy is a fundamental human right needing laws that:

• require consent when people’s personal information is being collected and used

• limit how much information organisations collect

• ensure our data is safely stored

• penalise misuse or breaches

Across the Caribbean, data protection laws are still catching up with today’s digital world of artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and online services. Even here in Trinidad and Tobago, our Data Protection Act, 2011 isn’t fully proclaimed, so some sections that actually protect our rights and define responsibilities aren’t fully operational yet.

Regardless, protecting personal data is a shared responsibility between institutions and individuals, so here are some quick and practical ways you can mind your data privacy:

1) Don’t just click accept — If a website is asking for your mic, camera, location, and whole life story, ask yourself if it’s really necessary. Ensure that you understand how your information will be stored, used, and shared. A skim through is so much better than a blind accept.

2) Practise strong cyber hygiene — Use two-factor authentication as well as strong and different passwords for each platform.

3) Be alert to modern scams — These are getting more local and frequent, don’t trust any random link, even if it’s from your bank.

4) Be aware of the personal data you already share — Review the information you’ve shared across platforms and adjust your privacy settings by removing or limiting any unnecessary personal details.

5) Respect the privacy of others — We live in a culture of share first, but not everything is our business or place to share

While we can’t control hacks or how fast laws move, we can control what we share, how freely we share it, and whether we stop and think before handing over our information.

Kionna Hall

Founder

Mind Yuh Tabs

Trinidad and Tobago