15 Jun 2026

Information Privacy

1. Introduction

1.1 Overview of the Topic

Information privacy means the right of individuals to control how their personal data is collected, used, stored, shared, and deleted. Personal data includes name, IC number, phone number, address, email, location, photos, bank details, medical records, and academic records.

1.2 Importance in Today’s Digital Society

In today’s digital world, personal data is collected by apps, websites, banks, universities, hospitals, and social media platforms. Privacy is important because misuse of data can cause identity theft, scams, financial loss, embarrassment, and discrimination.

1.3 Relevance to Ethics and Sustainability

Information privacy is related to ethics because people deserve respect, consent, and control over their personal information. In Malaysia, the Personal Data Protection Act 2010 includes seven principles: General, Notice and Choice, Disclosure, Security, Retention, Data Integrity, and Access.


2. Main Discussion

2.1 Ethical Issues and Dilemmas

Personalisation vs Privacy
Apps collect user data to provide personalised services such as product recommendations and targeted advertisements. However, collecting too much data can invade users’ privacy.

Public Interest vs Individual Privacy
Sometimes people share information to warn others or create awareness. However, sharing someone’s private details without consent can harm their reputation and safety.

Real-Life Example
The Equifax data breach is an example of a privacy issue where personal information of many users was affected. This shows the importance of protecting personal data properly.


2.2 Responsible and Sustainable Technology Use

Responsible privacy practices include:

  1. Use strong passwords.
  2. Limit app permissions.
  3. Avoid oversharing on social media.
  4. Do not share other people’s information without permission.
  5. Delete old or unused online accounts.
  6. Check privacy settings regularly.
  7. Organisations should only collect necessary data and delete it when no longer needed.

2.3 Value-Based Education

Important values in information privacy include:

Respect
Treat other people’s personal data carefully.

Consent
Ask permission before collecting, posting, or sharing someone’s personal information.

Confidentiality
Protect private information from being exposed.

Accountability
Take responsibility when handling personal data.

Trust
Protecting privacy helps build trust between individuals and organisations.


3. Conclusion

Information privacy protects human dignity, safety, and trust. Ethical digital citizens must protect their own personal data and respect the privacy of others. Responsible privacy practices help create a safer and more trustworthy digital society.


References

Department of Personal Data Protection Malaysia. (n.d.). Principles of Personal Data Protection.

Federal Trade Commission. (n.d.). Equifax Data Breach Settlement.

OECD. (n.d.). Privacy Principles.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. (2019). CFPB, FTC and States Announce Settlement with Equifax over 2017 Data Breach.

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