Data breaches on the rise - how secure is our data really?
In 2024, the number of data breaches in Baden-Württemberg literally exploded. A total of 3,559 breaches were reported - 646 more than in the previous year. Particularly explosive: the number of fines for data protection breaches has also risen. The authorities had to impose more than 600,000 euros in fines last year. But what is behind this increase? And what does it mean for the future of digital data security?
Data breaches in everyday life - a new level of threat?
The internet has made our lives easier in many ways, but it also harbors risks that are often underestimated. One example from the report by the State Data Protection Commissioner Tobias Keber: intimate patient photos were stored together with personal data in a gynecological clinic - and when the camera disappeared, the loss of the data was a data protection incident that was made public. This kind of mistake shows how easily personal data can be lost or fall into the wrong hands. But not only in the analog world, there are also a number of potential dangers online: Data uploaded to insecure websites is not infrequently available for anyone to see.
AI and TikTok - The next challenge for data protection
In addition to the already known mishaps, data protection officer Tobias Keber also warns of new threats arising from the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and social networks such as TikTok. It is becoming increasingly important to examine the use of AI systems in public authorities, schools and companies in terms of data protection law. A lot of educational work is still needed here. Keber emphasizes that, especially in times of disinformation and manipulation through apps such as TikTok, authorities and public bodies have a special responsibility to make their communication transparent and secure. However, the question remains: can these bodies continue to use a platform like TikTok with a clear conscience if data protection is repeatedly criticized there?
What's in store for us? - Data protection in a digital world
The future of data protection in Baden-Württemberg will largely depend on how well it manages the balancing act between innovation and data security. Tobias Keber urgently demands that companies and public institutions do not wait for the EU regulation on AI, which will not come into full force until 2026. Data protection must be put into practice now - not in a few years' time. This proactive stance is crucial to avoid costly mistakes and unnecessary corrections.
Data protection is not a luxury, but a duty
"The issue of data protection can no longer be put on the back burner," says Keber. Even if the discussion surrounding TikTok and AI is often characterized by emotions, it must not be forgotten that the security of personal data should always take priority. The figures speak for themselves: data protection breaches are not a marginal issue, they have long since arrived at the heart of society. Anyone who still thinks that data protection is just a "bureaucratic obstacle" will probably be proven wrong in the future.
