Islamabad: Safer Internet Day 2024 coincides with data concerns over restricted access to a number of well-known apps, prompting users to download alternatives in order to circumvent the new regulations. In an age when massive amounts of data are constantly collected and analyzed, identity theft, data breaches, and privacy violations are more common than ever before. Thus, on February 6, which is celebrated yearly as a key reminder of the need of preserving personal data in our digital age, Kaspersky’s professionals stressed the imperative requirement that users take an active role in their data protection.
Those attempting to avoid the restrictions usually use poorly designed copycat downloads that either completely violate users’ rights or have ambiguous privacy rules. Furthermore, many of these apps tend to disappear after a while for a variety of reasons, including a lack of users, which means private information may end up in the hands of unwelcome parties.
When it comes to installing anything on your devices, Kaspersky experts believe that there is no need to haste in order to avoid such unpleasant scenarios. Searching for an alternative too soon may put your information at risk, since these applications or pirated versions of services may be less concerned with user privacy than they should be.
The less information an app collects about you, the better, because there is a risk that personal information will be misused or mistakenly leaked due to insufficient data security protocols. Furthermore, once personal information is released, it may be difficult to limit its use and spread, which could lead to long-term privacy issues. To avoid difficulties like this, consider restricting the apps that can work without access to the photo stream, contacts, or location. This is also true for the microphone: restricted access ensures that programs do not obtain sensitive information by listening in on your chats.
Limiting popular apps has become more widespread than it once was. Users searching for alternatives are not always able to locate a high-quality app with an open privacy policy. Usman Qureshi, Kaspersky’s country representative in Pakistan, believes that “understanding users’ rights and paying attention to who and how the app collects data can help prevent personal information from falling into the wrong hands.”
In addition to alerting users when their phone numbers and other data are compromised, contemporary security solutions may prohibit apps from accessing personal data and notify users when a malicious file is downloaded. Furthermore, there are services that, by following simple recommendations, help to improve the security of personal data.
While commenting on International Safer Internet Day, Amir Jahangir, a public policy expert and CEO of Mishal, a country partner organization of the World Economic Forum, emphasized, “In an era where our online presence is increasingly intertwined with our daily activities, ensuring a safer internet isn’t just a matter of convenience—it’s a fundamental necessity. From protecting our personal information to combating misinformation, the challenges we face in the digital realm demand proactive and innovative solutions.” Jahangir emphasized the importance of prioritizing the development and enforcement of policies to safeguard the integrity and security of online spaces, stating, “As public policy experts, we must prioritize the development and enforcement of policies that safeguard the integrity and security of our online spaces. The Pakistan Data Protection Act has already been developed; however, political chaos during the last two to three years has prevented the act from being formally approved by the parliament. Pakistan needs robust policymaking on this important subject to safeguard future generations,” he added.
