Today, 28 January 2017, is Data Protection Day. To mark the occasion, Europol’s Data Protection Office (DPO) would like to raise awareness on webcam hacking, which can seriously threaten users of phones and laptops. Webcam hacking: someone might be spying on you Web cameras on laptops have become very popular nowadays: they are involved in everyday activities such as chatting with friends or for business-related activities. However, like with most technological developments, inherent advantages can be twisted and become a threat for users. In the case of a web camera, the greatest possible risk is that a hacker gains access to it – even without being noticed – and records the user in order to blackmail them or to collect valuable information from the user’s surroundings. To prevent this happening to you, Europol’s Data Protection Office (DPO), in cooperation with the European Cybercrime Centre (EC3), is raising awareness on spyware attacks, how to recognise the signs and how to protect yourself (download infographic here).
Europol celebrates Data Protection Day
Data Protection Day marks the anniversary of the Council of Europe’s Convention 108 on the protection of personal information, the first legally binding international law in the field of data protection, and is celebrated every year. At Europol we are proud to have one of the most robust data protection regimes in the world of law enforcement. It enables us to prevent and combat serious crime and terrorism in an effective manner while duly safeguarding the fundamental rights of individuals. The Data Protection Office at Europol gives advice, including on best practices, and assurance on compliance with data protection requirements. For more information on data protection and the Data Protection Office at Europol please read our dedicated DPO e-magazine.
c.s. – Europol
