Data Privacy Day

Celebrated on 01/28/2026

Quick Fact

Data Privacy Day is observed annually on January 28th, marking the anniversary of the 1981 signing of Convention 108, the first legally binding international treaty on data protection. The day was first celebrated in Europe as Data Protection Day before being adopted globally. It serves as a reminder for individuals and organizations to review and improve their data privacy practices.

Origins and Establishment of Data Privacy Day Data Privacy Day traces its roots to Europe, where it was first celebrated as Data Protection Day on January 28, 2007. The date was chosen to commemorate the signing of the Council of Europe's Convention 108 on January 28, 1981, which was the first legally binding international treaty dealing with privacy and data protection. The initiative was launched by the Council of Europe and later expanded globally. In the United States, the day was first recognized in 2009 as National Data Privacy Day, spearheaded by the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA).

Evolution and Modern Commemoration Over the years, Data Privacy Day has evolved from a European-focused event into a global awareness campaign. In the United States, the NCSA leads efforts to promote privacy education and best practices, partnering with businesses, government agencies, and non-profits. The day is now marked by conferences, webinars, and social media campaigns focusing on topics like data encryption, online tracking, and consumer rights. Since 2016, the U.S. Senate has passed resolutions recognizing January 28 as National Data Privacy Day, highlighting its importance in the digital age.

Facts & General Observations - According to a 2023 Pew Research Center survey, 79% of Americans are concerned about how companies use their personal data. - The average person generates about 1.7 megabytes of data per second in 2024, emphasizing the need for robust privacy protections. - Data breaches exposed over 4.1 billion records in the first half of 2023 alone, according to RiskBased Security.

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