Why Data Privacy Week matters for you and how to protect your information online

By Absa Bank Kenya Chief Data Officer, Hartnell Ndungi

In today’s digital world, you generate data whenever you browse social media, shop online, use banking apps, sign up for a newsletter, install a mobile app, or even track your health and fitness. This data is extremely valuable and can be sold to third parties without your knowledge.

However, this collection is not always visible, and many people do not know how this data is used or stored. That is why each year, the world observes the Data Privacy Week with the goal of helping individuals and organizations to recognize that they have the right and the power to manage their own data online and to make informed choices about who accesses or sees such data and also on how it is used.

Essentially, Data Privacy Week 2026 underscores an important reality: —that without awareness and safeguards, individuals can lose control of how their information is shared. The Week serves as a reminder to people of all cadre and age for instance to pause, reflect, and take practical steps to protect personal data, while encouraging organizations to uphold responsible data use & management practices.

For financial institutions, data protection is especially critical. Banks hold some of the most sensitive personal information, including identity details, contact information, account balances, and loan histories etc. Safeguarding this information is essential to maintaining customer trust and financial security.

Fundamentally, data protection is a key priority at Absa Bank. The bank continues to invest in secure digital platforms, robust systems, and strict governance frameworks designed to protect customer information. Additionally, Absa offers consumer safeguards on cybersecurity and data privacy that helps customers and clients in online self-protection. This includes encouraging regular review of app permissions, removal of unused apps, and careful management of personal details.

However, data protection is a shared responsibility between the consumer and institutions. Simple habits can significantly reduce exposure to cyber risks. Using passwords that are at least 12 characters long and avoiding the recycling of the same password across multiple accounts is a crucial first step. Do not share your passwords with any other third parties. If in doubt of your memory capabilities, consider a password manager to help you keep track of them.

Moreover, enabling multi-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second verification step, such as a code sent to your phone. Using this feature, the first time a person sign in on a device or app, the person enters his or her username and password as usual, then gets prompted to enter his or her second factor to verify identity.  Many services, including most banks and email providers, let people to add up a second step which makes it harder for attackers to break in.

Regularly reviewing app permissions helps in ensuing that applications only access information they truly need, such as location, contacts, or photos. Keeping devices and applications up to date is equally important, as updates often contain security patches designed to protect against emerging threats.

Ultimately, personal data is more than a set of numbers in a system. It reflects a person’s identity, preferences, financial life, social behavior and even parts of that person’s professional future. When this data is not properly protected one may suffer multiple risks including identity theft, financial accounts being compromised and resulting adverse impact on online reputation and opportunities.

Essentially, protecting a person’s data builds privacy and strengthens trust between an individual and the companies one interacts with. Data Privacy Week is not just an annual event; it is a reminder to build privacy awareness into people’s daily life. One may not control how each little piece of data about him or her and or their family is collected; however one can take control of individual data by choosing safer passwords, reviewing app settings, or understanding how organizations such as Absa manage customers’/clients’ data. Nevertheless, taking small steps now and daily can significantly reduce digital personal risks in the future.