Data Privacy Day is an international effort that aims to create awareness about the importance of respecting privacy and safeguard personal data. In 2008, the United States and Canada started commemorating Data Privacy Day as an extension of Data Protection Day in Europe. In 2021, the National Security Alliance encouraged individuals to learn how to own their privacy.

These are some ideas for measures that you as an individual can take to control your privacy:

• Value your personal information as you value your money: your purchase history, IP address, or location have tremendous value to businesses. They are precious just like money. Always make informed decisions about whether to share your data with certain businesses. A common example is a cashier asking for your email and phone number. Carefully weight the value of your personal information against the benefits you may receive in return.
• Keep tabs on your apps: before using their services, many apps ask for your personal information. This is usually your geographic location, contacts list, and photo album. Consider who gets access to that information and be wary of apps that require access to data that is not required for their services. A good practice is to delete unused apps on all of your internet-connect devices and keep others secure by regularly performing updates.
• Manage your privacy settings: make a list of the apps and websites that you use, check their privacy and security settings, and set them to your comfort level for information sharing. A great start is the National Cybersecurity Alliance's Manage Your Privacy Settings Page. There you can find direct links to update your privacy settings on popular devices and online services.