In this digital age where user data is valuable as a currency, safeguarding privacy is not just a legal obligation – it is a cornerstone of user trust and business integrity. Yet, privacy considerations are often sidelined during the whirlwind of ideation, design, and planning in the initial stages of a project. Neglecting these considerations is not just an oversight; it can be a costly misstep, leading to legal challenges and reputational damage.
Privacy by Design (PbD) is not just a framework, it is a commitment woven into the fabric of software development at Barrington Edge. Let us explore the seven principles of PbD and understand how they transform the development process along with examples of how we apply these principles to projects at Barrington:
Proactive not Reactive; Preventative not Remedial:
Services are designed to only collect data that is strictly necessary for the task at hand. For example, Automatic data purging routines delete user data periodically.
Privacy as a Default Setting:
Services implement secure authentication measures and session management practices.
Privacy Embedded into Design:
Services are not built with privacy as an add-on but a foundational component of the entire system from application code to infrastructure and business practices. This is done by integrating privacy into every stage of the software development life cycle.
Full Functionality – Positive Sum, not Zero-Sum:
Privacy training provided by privacy technologists to product owners, project managers, designers, and technical team members helps reinforce the notion that systems can simultaneously provide strong privacy and functionality without sacrificing one for the other.
End-to-End Security – Full Lifecycle Protection:
APIs are built to use secure protocols such as OAuth for authorization and API rate limits are set to defend the APIs against overuse, both unintentional and malicious.
Visibility and Transparency:
Services are designed so privacy notices are clear, concise, and visible while obtaining explicit consent where necessary.
Respect for User Privacy – Keep it User-Centric:
Transparency through privacy notices, controls to provide users with the choice to consent and an intuitive UI/ UX design helps keep our services user-centric.
Privacy technologists must work hand in hand with multiple stakeholders to ensure these principles are not theoretical but actively practiced. When involving third-party vendors, ensure they adhere to PbD principles and privacy laws like GDPR. Privacy laws could vary depending on the jurisdiction of the user. A sound privacy strategy may involve:
- Conducting a Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA)
- Applying Data Minimization Principles
- Drafting an Incident Response Plan
Organizations that master privacy management are seen as trustworthy pillars in the digital community, providing them with a distinct competitive edge. By embracing PbD, companies can mitigate reputational risks and cement their market position.
Our product & service design process at Barrington Edge has “Privacy Embedded into Design” built into it and we take the utmost care concerning user privacy during our design thinking process.
To learn more about how we can help you in your product development and privacy journey, please contact us at edge@barringtonedge.com.
Author: Ashwin Sivaraman