What is GDPR?

GDPR, or General Data Protection Regulation, is a set of rules that came into effect in the European Union in 2018. It aims to protect individuals’ privacy and personal information when it comes to how businesses and organizations handle their data.  Imagine you’re at a party, and you give your name and phone number to […]

What is HIPPA?

HIPPA stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, enacted by the U.S. Congress in 1996. In a nutshell, it’s a law that protects your personal health information and ensures that it remains private and secure.  Imagine you visit your doctor for a check-up, and they take some notes about your health. HIPPA ensures […]

What is FERPA?

FERPA, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, is a United States federal law protecting the privacy of student’s educational records. Established in 1974, FERPA applies to all schools receiving federal funding, including public and private institutions, from kindergarten to higher education.  Think of FERPA as a privacy shield for students and their families. It […]

What is Data Stewardship?

Data stewardship refers to the individual responsibility of managing, protecting, and ensuring the proper use of data in an organization. It’s like being a guardian for the valuable information your organization collects, stores, and utilizes.  Imagine you’re at a community garden, where people work together to grow fruits and vegetables. Each person has a responsibility […]

What is Data Privacy?

Data privacy, often referred to as information privacy, is the practice of protecting personal and sensitive information from unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse. It is essential in today’s digital age, where businesses and organizations collect, process, and store vast amounts of data.  In simple terms, data privacy is about ensuring that the right people have […]

What is Data Ethics?

Data ethics is a field that focuses on the responsible use of data, ensuring that the way we collect, analyze, and apply information is fair, transparent, and respects people’s privacy. As our lives increasingly rely on digital technologies, it’s essential to make ethical decisions when handling data.  Imagine a grocery store using your shopping habits […]

What is Data Consent?

Data consent refers to the process where individuals willingly and knowingly give permission for their personal information to be collected, stored, and used by organizations, businesses, or individuals. It is a critical aspect of data ethics, which aims to ensure the responsible and ethical handling of personal information.  Imagine you’re at the doctor’s office, and […]

What is Algorithmic Bias?

Algorithmic bias is when a computer program, such as an algorithm or AI system, makes decisions or predictions that unfairly favor or disadvantage certain groups of people. This usually occurs because the data used to train the algorithm contains historical or societal biases, leading the AI to perpetuate and sometimes amplify these biases in its […]