Understanding and Protecting Your Digital Privacy

Nov 5, 2025

Pod #5:

Simon Zhang

Nico Cai

We chose the topic of digital privacy because technology is rapidly changing the way we live, learn, and communicate. The internet has become deeply integrated into our daily lives, whether we like or not. As students in Health Information Science, our team understands how essential data security and privacy are not only in healthcare but also in everyday digital life.

With this project, our goal is to help people recognize the importance of protecting their personal information online and to offer simple, practical strategies for doing so. We want to make digital privacy more understandable and approachable for everyone, so users can feel confident and safe when using the internet.

Understand Phase

The Challenge:

People who use the internet deeply in their daily lives need practical and convenient ways to protect their personal privacy and online security.

Context and Audience:

Typical cases:

People who use the internet as part of their daily routine. They have several popular social media apps and use a single email account. Such as Gmail or Outlook to register for most online services. They often use their real names and personal photo on these platforms. Although they are active online, they rarely think about how their data is collected or shared between different services.

Extreme cases:

People who have experienced personal data leaks or online scams and have become more cautious about their digital privacy. They may also include individuals who strongly dislike having their personal information collected by large technology companies such as Google, Meta, or Microsoft. These users are motivated to find trustworthy, independent tools and methods that allow them to regain control over their data.

Needs, goals, and motivations:

Audiences need simple and clear alternatives that do not disrupt their current quality of life. Their main goal is to reduce dependence on online services that sell or misuse personal information. They are motivated by a desire to maintain convenience while gaining more control over how their data is used and shared.

Demographic, psychographic, and behavioural factors:

The primary demographic includes active internet users who are familiar with modern technology and rely on online platforms for communication, shopping, and entertainment. Psychographically, they value independence, convenience, and personal security. They often underestimate the risks of data collection and sharing. Many have recently become more aware of privacy issues after seeing news about government actions to modify privacy laws, such as the EU’s “Chat Control” proposal, or reports about AI systems using personal data to train models. Behaviourally, they use multiple social media platforms, online services, and cloud storage with the same email or password. They are beginning to look for practical ways to improve their digital safety without giving up convenience.

POV Statement:

A regular internet user concerned about data collection needs accessible and reliable methods to safeguard their personal information so that they can maintain both privacy and convenience in their online activities.

Learning Objectives:

The primary learning objectives of this project are for people to:

• Understand what digital privacy means and how personal data is collected, tracked, and shared online.
• Identify common privacy risks associated with social media, online, accounts, and everyday digital tools.
• Apply simple, practical strategies to protect personal information, such as using strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and privacy-focused software.
• Recognize trustworthy platforms and services that respect user data and support safe online habits.

The secondary objectives are to:

• Encourage greater awareness of how personal information is exchanged and monetized online.
• Promote responsible digital behaviour and informed decision-making about online privacy.
• Inspire long-term habits that balance convenience with data protection and personal control.

Plan Phase

Ideation:

The inspiration for this project comes from both of our academic backgrounds in Health Information Science and from recent reflections on the future of the internet. Today, online connectivity extends far beyond what we consciously open on our computers. It is deeply embedded in our daily lives, from banking apps, navigation tools, and weather services to smart home devices like refrigerators. Avoiding social media alone is no longer enough to stay private.

For example, email has become unavoidable in modern life. Almost everyone we know has a Gmail account, and most use it as their primary email address. Yet very few people ever question why such a powerful service is offered for free. When “Free” often comes at a cost. Similarly, tools such as VPNs are often misunderstood. Some people assume they are used for suspicious reason, when in fact they are legitimate and valuable tools for protecting online privacy.

Our project aims to provide a clear, balanced perspective on these issues. We want to introduce the correct and responsible ways to use privacy tools, raise awareness of how personal data is traded in the digital world, and offer people practical alternatives. In the end, this project seeks not to force change, but to offer a choice, a change for individuals to regain control and reduce their dependence on companies like Meta or Google.

We decided to use Google Sites to create an open educational website. This way, we can design a simple and accessible resource that introduces practical ways for people to understand and protect their digital privacy.

Plan:

The website “Your Data, Your Control” will be built with Google Sites and structured into several pages that guide learners step-by-step through the concept of digital privacy. Each page will include short explanations, visual aids, and interactive elements that make the information clear and engaging.

Page 0: Home

Content:

Introduces the purpose of the website and the idea of digital privacy. Explains that protecting data is part of maintaining safety and independence online. Includes a short welcome message and the project’s Creative Commons license.

Page 1: What is Digital Privacy?

Content:

Defines digital privacy and explains how online activities generate personal data. Includes real world examples and statistics.

Page 2: How Data is Collected

Content:

Explains tracking technologies like cookies, analytics, and personalized ads. Describes how data moves between apps and services.

Page 3: Protect Yourself

Content:

Introduces practical steps such as password management, two-factor authentication, VPNs, and privacy-focused browsers and search engines.

Page 4: Learn More

Content:

Lists recommended open resources and privacy-friendly tools.

Page 5: About / Credits

Content:

Describes the project team, purpose, and references. Provides licensing and acknowledgments.

Principles Applied:

To reduce cognitive load, each webpage focuses on one main idea and use easy-to-follow explanations. Using the Coherence Principle, only essential information is included to help users stay focused on the key message. The Contiguity Principle informs how related text and visuals will be positioned together when using images or diagrams. It will help users make connections more easily.

The website also uses Dual-Coding Theory, meaning that information may be presented using both text and simple visuals to supporting understanding.

By using Universal Design for Learning (UDL), the resource is designed to be readable and accessible to a board audience. We will use simple and inclusive language, and accessibility features, such as readable fonts, sufficient colour contrast, and clear page structure.