What rights do users have regarding their personal data?
March 12, 2024 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Irmgard Helbig
Dear data protection lawyer,
I am Hilde Becker and I have a question regarding my personal data on the internet. In the past few weeks, I have noticed that various online services and social networks are collecting and using my data without me knowing exactly what rights I have in relation to my personal data. I am concerned about how my data is being used and whether my privacy is adequately protected.
I would like to know what rights I have as a user when it comes to my personal data. Are there legal provisions that protect my data and regulate my rights as a user? How can I control which data is being collected and stored about me, and how can I ensure that my data is not being misused or unlawfully disclosed?
I would like to know if I have the right to have my data deleted or if I can request access to all of my stored data. Are there ways to protect my data from unauthorized access and what steps can I take to preserve my privacy on the internet?
I would greatly appreciate it if you could assist me in this matter and explain to me what rights I have as a user regarding my personal data. Thank you in advance for your support.
Sincerely,
Hilde Becker
Dear Mrs. Becker,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding your personal data on the internet. As a lawyer specializing in data protection law, I can understand the importance of data protection and the protection of your privacy in the digital age. It is important that as a user, you are informed about your rights regarding your personal data and know how to protect them.
First and foremost, I would like to emphasize that your personal data is protected by various legal regulations. In Germany, the Federal Data Protection Act (BDSG) and since May 2018, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) apply, which is valid throughout the European Union. These laws regulate, among other things, how your data may be processed by companies and online services, and what rights you have as a user.
Under the GDPR, you have the right to information about the use of your data, the right to rectify incorrect data, the right to erasure of your data (the right to be forgotten), and the right to data portability. You can therefore inquire at any time with a company which data is stored about you and request that incorrect data be corrected or deleted.
To control which data is collected and stored about you, I recommend that you carefully read the privacy policies of the respective online services and social networks. These policies generally explain which data is processed for what purpose. You can also adjust your privacy settings in the respective services to control who can access which data about you.
To protect your data from unauthorized access, it is important to use strong passwords, regularly change your passwords, and be aware of which data you share with whom. Avoid sharing sensitive information such as your bank details or date of birth publicly.
If you suspect that your data is being misused or unlawfully disclosed, you can contact the data protection authority in your state and file a complaint. The authority will then investigate the matter and can take appropriate measures in case of violations of data protection regulations.
I hope this information has been helpful to you. If you have any further questions or need legal advice, I am at your service.
Sincerely,
Irmgard Helbig
Lawyer specializing in data protection law
