Definition
Data ethics govern how personal information is collected, stored, shared, and protected from misuse or breach.

Introduction
In the digital economy, data is the new oil — and the new weapon. Protecting user privacy is both a legal and moral imperative to preserve trust and human autonomy.

Explanation
1️⃣ Informed Consent – Users must know what they share and why.
2️⃣ Data Minimization – Collect only what’s necessary.
3️⃣ Security by Design – Encrypt, monitor, and update continuously.
4️⃣ Right to Erasure – Individuals can demand deletion of their data.
5️⃣ Transparency in Breach – Notify users promptly when violations occur.

Key Takeaways

Privacy is a human right, not a checkbox.

Security ethics are as vital as technology itself.

Trust lost in data breach rarely returns.

Real-World Case
Facebook–Cambridge Analytica (2018) exposed 87 million users’ data without permission for political targeting. The incident reshaped privacy law worldwide (GDPR, CCPA) and became a defining lesson in digital morality.
Reference: https://www.theguardian.com/news/cambridge-analytica