NPC Survey: Filipinos Value Data Privacy

A study commissioned by the National Privacy Commission (NPC) reveals that for a great majority of Filipino adults, data privacy rights are important and they want organizations that collect personal information to provide details on how and where the data will be used.

The National Privacy Commission revealed the information at a general assembly of Data Protection Officers (DPO) from the Media and Social Media sector. The nationwide survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) in June of this year showed that 94% of Filipino adults wanted to know more about how the personal data they provided during transactions will be used. While 85% of Filipinos agreed that the rights of data subjects are important.

The rights of data subjects when it comes to personal data processing include the right to be informed, the right to object, the right to access, the right to correct, the right to erasure or blocking and the right to damages.

Survey data showed that Filipino adult internet usage is now at 37 percent, a 2 percent increase from last year. From this data it can be concluded that there are 37 million Filipino adult internet users, about 18 million of whom are online for at least one hour every day for various purposes. The top two activities of Filipinos online are getting news (62 percent) and sharing information online (56 percent). Other online activities include getting information on health, and fitness; getting information a sensitive health topic; looking for a job; playing online games; buying things online, studying online courses, visiting online dating sites; and creating or working on own blog.

The SWS survey measured public awareness on issues related to the Data Privacy Act of 2012 as well as the level of trust in public and private organizations that collect and process personal data, which is called in the privacy law as Personal Information Controllers (PICs).

According to Privacy Commissioner Raymund Enriquez Liboro, “Data privacy has become the proxy for trust in today’s information-driven world. It would interest you to know that among private PICs in the Philippines, Filipinos trust schools the most, with a +85 net trust rating, saying they trust schools with their private data, more than they trust hospitals, banks or telcos. The biggest lesson we should learn from schools is that trust is the result of hard work – because it usually takes them several decades to gain earn this kind of reputation,” Liboro told journalists, editors and social media professionals during the opening program of the Data Protection Officers 6 (DPO6) Assembly. The event is the sixth in a series of DPO sectoral assemblies organized by the Commission this year and has gathered participants from the media and social media community. DPO6 was co-organized with Internet rights advocacy group, the Internet Society.

According to Winthrop Yu, Chairman of the Philippine Chapter of the Internet Society: “Privacy has become a real concern in today's ICT-enabled world as companies collect and utilize a person's data, sometimes without the explicit, informed consent of the person concerned. Often this data is used in ways that the person providing the data did not forsee. It's not just about spam. The widespread collection, use, and sharing between companies of personal data can negatively affect one's financial well-being and career prospects."

Media and Social Media are critical to protecting personal data, inappropriately posted personal information on both platforms can cause irreversible harm to data subjects. “The damage to a person’s reputation from inappropriate posts can severely affect the personal lives of of data subjects. We’ve seen how incorrect and unverified posts in media outlets can go viral on social media affecting the subject’s lives as well as their children” Commissioner Liboro added.


Cover Photo Caption:

Speakers, organizers and participants of a Data Protection Officers' General Assembly for Media and Social Media professionals pose for a group photo. The event called DPO6 is the 6th of a series of industry specific seminars and workshops organized by the National Privacy Commission (NPC) aimed at improving compliance with the Philippines' data protection and data privacy regulations.

12 Secrets to Becoming a Professional Travel Blogger

Blogging nowadays witnesses a huge development, and everything connected with traveling attracts attention. Traveling and blogging are a perfect combo if you want to start your own thing but have doubts concerning what it has to be. We have prepared 12 secrets how to become a travel blogger if you have a wish to become such.


Make Sure Your Content Is Interesting

Pose yourself a question: “Is this information going to be interesting not only to my parents and friends but also to the strangers who have no idea about me?” Google what the most frequently asked questions are, take into account your personal interests, and create an interesting and useful content.


Do Phenomenal Stuff

Apart from giving your subscribers useful information, make sure you do…something phenomenal. If you are in the most ordinary place, find out what unique things can be done here. For example, in one of the civil places on earth, Vienna, there is such an entertainment as bungee jumping at the Danube tower. Falling from 152 meters height is fascinating and your subscribers will be more than satisfied.


Try Guest Posting

When you only start your blogging, no one knows you. That is why you should consider writing for the platforms that will bring you new audience. Also, sharing a link of the popular site might be useful to you. The only thing you have to remember is you should be picky about the website – choose only the one that will bring you the best return.



Be Active on Social Media

There is a saying that if you have not posted something on social media, it means that it never took place. You have to be active on different social media channels: tag the locations, answer to comments, share other people’s content. But be aware that you should not spend the life on social media: choose 2 periods during the day when you are going to dedicate yourself to the social channels.


Market Yourself!

The best way to market yourself is by contacting other famous bloggers: follow them on LinkedIn or Twitter, share their articles with a mention, send them a compliment or ask a question. When noticed, pitch them your fascinating ideas! There is a high chance that they will land your feature on a major media website.


Master SEO

Yes, you might be far from understanding the core of information technologies but as the world and technologies develop, you have to keep your finger on the pulse. There are numerous platforms that can help you master SEO or, as an alternative, hire a professional who will make your name appear first-hand when googling a definite combination of words (like, travel blogger).


Build an Email List

This might seem unimportant, but you should pay a separate attention to your email subscribers – these are your true fans and dedicated readers. That is why do not be afraid to engage your followers to subscribe to your email list. As soon as you are going to have updates on your website, the email will come to a definite number of people and they will immediately go and visit your website thus increasing the traffic.


Advertising

You need to keep in mind that by adding the word “professional” to “blogger”, you sign for making a business out of it. And business implies using advertising whether you like it or not. When you start, you might not have money to pay for it, however, you should keep it in mind for the future.


Professional Networking

To expand your horizons, you should visit the thematic conferences where you will meet new people: business partners, colleagues, and clients. The professional traveler will look for the soul mates and so will you. You will thus make yourself a name in travel blogging communicating with people in person. Consider collaborations with other travel bloggers – it will bring both of you new audience.


Get Yourself Some Help

As your website or channel on YouTube starts to bring you income, do not be greedy on hiring some people to help you. There is a low chance that you are amazing at all fields: photography, writing, editing, accounting, public relations, web development, etc. You can look at this best writing service and see how a perfect content looks like. Just focus on the thing you enjoy most and let other people help you in areas they are better than you are.



Create Your Personal Brand

Ask yourself what you do best and focus on this in your blog. Do not try to be everything – it is useless because you will not be able to form your audience. Make people associate you with something: maybe you try wine in each country? Or, you evaluate the country’s markets? Find your own niche and fill it in with the qualitative content.


Be Ready for Not Only for Ups But Downs as Well

Take everything easy and with humor: if you do not have 100,000 of subscribers in the first month, it is not a big deal. Take your time and understand that it takes years for the majority of travel bloggers to be noticed by the public. What is the most important is patience quick-wittedness – only those achieve the success.

If you only start your career of a blogger and have a deadlock on writing some articles, do not be afraid and ask for help.

6 People From Michigan To Be Proud Of

The American state – Michigan is located on two peninsulas that are separated by a narrow Strait of Mackinac. Michigan can be easily called the state of contrasts. This is due to a unique combination of beautiful, untouched nature and huge, majestic industrial areas. Also, this state was the birthplace of the industry that has strengthened, glorified and enriched America – Detroit, a city in a south-eastern area of this state, deservedly bears the title of "automotive capital of the world."

Michigan attracts many people with its beautiful nature. Here are located the Great Lakes and, in addition to them, the state can count more than twelve thousand different lakes and reservoirs, and it is also known for its stunning parks and forests that surround its cities.

However, the beautiful nature is not the only thing that makes this place so special. This state is home to many famous people to be proud of! Artists, sportsmen, politicians, scientists, musicians and many other “big” personalities were born and raised in this area. In this article, we will tell you more about top 6 most famous people born in Michigan who set a good example!

Alfred Worden
Alfred Worden holds deserved a place in this list. He is one of the most famous Michigan people of all times. Alfred was born in Jackson County, MI, in 1932; by education, he is a pilot and aviation engineer, and for years of service he was awarded the rank of Air Force Colonel, but it is not what had made him famous. Worden is one of 24 people who flew to the moon. He was the module commander of spacecraft “Apollo-15”; although he never landed on the moon, in 1971, he received the Exceptional Service Medal from NASA.

Worden also was noted by the Guinness Book of records. He holds a record as “the loneliest man in space”: during the expedition, he was managing the basic module of spacecraft "Apollo-15", which was rotating in orbit around the moon, while his colleagues were on the moon. The distance between them was about 3596 km.

Madonna
Writing about popular people from Michigan, I could not avoid the worldwide-famous Queen of Pop music – Madonna! The future dive was born in 1958 in Michigan. She is a talented singer, songwriter, producer, dancer, actress, director, and screenwriter, who is known worldwide for her innovative music videos, amazing stage performances, and provocative political, sexual and religious imagery in her works. Her first album was released in July 1983. It soon reached the 8th place on the Billboard 200 chart! Since then, Madonna has sold 300 million copies of her CDs and became the most commercially successful artist in the world history in accordance with the statement of the Guinness Book of records.

Steven Seagal
We all know and love this actor for his epic movies works, and he is also one of those people we can be proud of because apart from his career in acting, he also reached certain success in film directing and production, script writing and music. In addition, he is a sheriff and a master of martial arts! Steven was born in Lansing, Michigan, in 1952.

Glenn Theodore Seaborg
Being an academic writer at official UK site, I also couldn’t avoid including this famous scientist in this list of most famous people from Michigan. Glenn is one of the greatest minds of America! He was born in Ishpeming, in 1912. Thanks to this famous American chemist, a nuclear physicist, and his works, a new science has been formed that we all know as nuclear chemistry!

Floyd Mayweather Jr.
This famous sportsman was born in Grand Rapids, in 1977, and he became one of the most significant figures in the world of professional boxing! Floyd is undefeated professional American boxer, who performed in the welterweight division, and he gained his popularity due to the fact that he won 49 out of 49 fights that he had in his professional career that lasted from 1996 until 2015! Impressive, isn’t it?

Iggy Pop
James Newell Osterberg, Jr. is widely known as Iggy Pop, was born in Muskegon, in 1947, and he is another bright person in the history of the Michigan. Iggy Pop is one of the pioneers and gurus of alternative rock, who is often called a “godfather” of punk rock and grunge for his contribution to the development of alternative rock styles. In 2009, James was awarded the title “Living Legend”. He received this title from the British Classic Rock magazine. Also, it is worth noting that Iggy Pop was the one who invented so-called stage-diving, which is now very popular among rock artists!

Final Words
Hopefully, the examples from this list inspired and motivated you! The majority of personalities from this list started out as young people who had a passion for their hobby and desire to reach success, which once more proves that you can be anyone if you want it! No matter if you are dreaming of becoming a singer, corporate CEO, actor, politician or anyone else – you should follow your dream and never give up, and it is possible that you will be the next person who will make a significant addition to this list!

Used sources:
1 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Worden#/media/File:Al_Worden_Apollo_15_CMP.jpg
2 - http://www.madonnashots.com/lifeb.jpg
3 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Seagal#/media/File:Steven_Seagal_November_2016.jpg
4 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenn_T._Seaborg#/media/File:Glenn_Seaborg_-_1964.jpg
5 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floyd_Mayweather_Jr.#/media/File:Floyd_Mayweather,_Jr._cropped.jpg
6 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iggy_Pop#/media/File:Iggy_Pop_-_pinkpop87.jpg