What's at Stake When We Get Privacy Wrong?
Feb 23, 2026
This week, we look at why privacy matters, not just as a compliance obligation, but as a foundation for rights, trust, and a democratic society, and what it actually takes to build systems that protect it.
One YouTube Video
This TED talk argues that privacy underpins democracy, free speech, and personal safety. Through historical and contemporary examples, it shows how the decisions we make today about data collection have profound consequences.
One Privacy Project
This engaging New York Times investigation shows how the smartphone tracking industry quietly logs and sells “anonymous” location trails at a massive scale. Enough to identify where people live, work, worship, or protest, and even follow high-value targets.
One Study
This study analysed mobility data for 1.5 million people and found that just four location points are enough to uniquely identify 95% of individuals—even in datasets stripped of names and identifiers.
One Infographic
Source: OECD Data Explorer
One Article
Privacy means different things to lawyers, politicians, and technologists. This article cuts through the noise, defining privacy in the tech context and explaining the key categories of data protection and what each one guards against.
One Resource
This ICO guidance is a practical reference for organisations ready to act. It covers which privacy-enhancing technologies apply to which contexts, and how to assess whether they are fit for your use case.
