How ‘privacy by design’ protects your personal data

As our lives increasingly move online, we have reason to question how our personal data is being used and whether it’s being protected. What data has an organization collected about us? How long it is being stored, and how it is being managed? And most importantly, is it secure?

This is where “privacy by design” comes in. It’s a proactive approach to data security that ensures privacy is not just an afterthought in product development but a foundation of innovation. While it’s become a critical element of privacy protection, however, it needs to be more broadly understood and used.

What is privacy by design?

Developed by Dr Ann Cavoukian opens in new tab/window in the 1990s, privacy by design is a framework that prioritizes secure personal data processing from the outset of product development. It outlines that processes, systems and products must consider and protect the privacy rights of users at their inception through intentional design choices rather than as an afterthought following their launch.

Recognized internationally in 2010, privacy by design became a cornerstone of the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) opens in new tab/window. It supports:

• Clear communication: Ensuring users are aware of your policies regarding the collection, retention and use of personal data.

• Data minimization: Storing personal data only where identification is absolutely necessary.

• Collection limitation: Any data collected must be done in a transparent manner.

• Purpose specification: Limiting data processing activities to only what is relevant.

How is privacy by design applied?

Privacy by design is comprised of seven foundational principles, which describe how it can be applied as part of a larger privacy program:

1. Proactive, not reactive: Anticipate privacy issues in new projects through Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs), which help identify and mitigate potential risks.

2. Default privacy settings: Personal data should be automatically protected throughout its lifecycle.

3. Embedded privacy: Integrate privacy considerations into all aspects of an organization, from product design to training and culture.

4. Full functionality: Address privacy and security needs collaboratively across relevant business areas from the start, making the development process more efficient.

5. End-to-end security: Ensure the secure handling of personal data from collection to disposal. You can read more about Elsevier’s security program here opens in new tab/window.

6. Visibility and transparency: Foster open communication about data processing activities, aligning with GDPR principles.

7. User-centric approach: Prioritize user privacy and ethical data handling in every stage of development.

One of the ways we apply these principles at Elsevier is through our Privacy Center opens in new tab/window. The Privacy Center provides a convenient and transparent portal to access and manage your privacy preferences while using our products, allowing you to manage your profile, activity history, email alerts and reviewer options. It ensures that privacy considerations are embedded in our products and that future developments focus on the needs of the user for both data security and user experience.

Why it matters

Privacy by design is the gold standard. It enables businesses to put the data privacy rights of their customers and users at the heart of product development.

Privacy by design is not just a regulatory requirement; it is a commitment to protecting individual privacy while enabling innovation. Embracing this framework is essential for any organization aiming to thrive in the digital age.