Protecting personal data and privacy

This is the partial competence 4.2 in the competence area 4 “Safety” of the Digital Competence Framework for Austria.

What is it about?

Protecting personal data and privacy means being able to assess the importance of personal data in digital environments. Furthermore, the competence area includes the ability to protect sensitive data of yourself and others.

What does it mean in practice?

Digitally competent people carefully handle their own and other people’s data on the internet. On the one hand, they do this in order to avoid misuse and, on the other hand, because they are aware of the socio-political and legal issues relating to data protection and privacy. They know, for example, that online companies such as Facebook can use personal data of users for analysis and advertising purposes and can sell them to third parties at high prices. People with appropriate digital skills also know about opportunities to restrict or prohibit the use of data by online companies and can adjust privacy settings accordingly.

Why is that important?

Personal data is used by companies to carry out analyses. The main purpose of these analyses is to provide personalized advertising. Thus, people provide a free contribution to the advertising industry, that can turn it into high profits. In addition, users are vulnerable to the uncontrolled dissemination of their data, especially when it comes to health data or other sensitive private information.

Where can I continue learning?

On the homepage of fit4internet, you will find further background information on the Digital Competence Framework for Austria under the heading “Understanding”. In the section “Learning”, you will find learning offers to increase your digital competence.