Day 12: Data Privacy and Security

Learning Objectives

• DAT-2.E: Explain how programs can be used to gain insight and knowledge from data.

Essential Questions

• What privacy concerns arise from data collection and analysis?
• How do data breaches impact individuals and organizations?
• How can we balance the benefits of data use with privacy protection?

Materials Needed

• Presentation slides on data privacy and security
• Case study handouts
• Discussion prompts
• Position paper guidelines
• News articles about recent data breaches

Vocabulary

• Data privacy
• Data security
• Data breach
• Personally identifiable information (PII)
• Anonymization
• De-identification
• Consent
• Data minimization
• Encryption

Procedure (50 minutes)

Opening (8 minutes)

1. Review and Connection (3 minutes)

   • Review metadata concepts from previous lesson
   • Connect to today's focus on privacy and security concerns

2. Warm-up Activity (5 minutes)

   • Ask students to list all the data they've shared online in the past 24 hours
   • Discuss: "Who has access to this data? What could they learn about you?"

Main Activities (32 minutes)

3. Lecture: Privacy Concerns with Data Collection and Analysis (12 minutes)

   • Explain key privacy concerns:
     • Collection of personal information without informed consent
     • Secondary use of data beyond original purpose
     • Data aggregation revealing sensitive patterns
     • Re-identification of supposedly anonymous data
     • Surveillance and tracking of behavior
     • Algorithmic decision-making based on personal data
   • Discuss data security issues:
     • Data breaches and unauthorized access
     • Insider threats
     • Insecure data storage and transmission
     • Inadequate data disposal
   • Explain privacy protection approaches:
     • Data minimization
     • Anonymization and de-identification
     • Encryption
     • Access controls
     • Transparency and consent

4. Case Studies: Examples of Data Breaches and Privacy Issues (10 minutes)

   • Present 2-3 real-world case studies of data privacy incidents
   • For each case, discuss:
     • What happened?
     • What types of data were compromised?
     • How did it affect individuals and organizations?
     • What could have been done to prevent it?
     • What lessons can be learned?
   • Connect case studies to broader privacy principles

5. Debate: Balancing Data Utility with Privacy Protection (10 minutes)

   • Divide class into small groups
   • Assign each group a scenario involving data collection and use
     • Health data for medical research
     • Location data for traffic optimization
     • Shopping habits for personalized recommendations
     • Social media data for targeted advertising
   • Groups discuss and prepare arguments addressing:
     • Benefits of the data use
     • Privacy concerns
     • Potential compromises or solutions
   • Groups share their perspectives with the class

Closing (10 minutes)

6. Discussion and Reflection (5 minutes)

   • Facilitate whole-class discussion on key questions:
     • Who should own or control personal data?
     • What responsibility do organizations have to protect data?
     • How can individuals protect their own privacy?
     • How might privacy concerns and protections evolve in the future?

7. Position Paper Assignment and Preview (5 minutes)

   • Introduce position paper assignment on a data privacy issue
   • Provide guidelines and expectations
   • Preview that next class will focus on bias in data

Assessment

• Formative: Quality of participation in debate and discussion
• Position Paper: Depth of analysis, quality of arguments, and understanding of privacy concepts

Differentiation

For Advanced Students

• Research privacy laws and regulations in different countries
• Analyze technical aspects of data protection methods
• Explore ethical frameworks for evaluating data privacy issues

For Struggling Students

• Focus on more familiar privacy scenarios
• Provide structured templates for position paper
• Use visual aids to illustrate privacy concepts

Homework/Extension

• Write a 1-2 page position paper on a data privacy issue
• Create a personal data privacy audit and protection plan
• Research a recent data breach and analyze its causes and impacts

Teacher Notes

• Keep discussions balanced between benefits of data use and privacy concerns
• Be sensitive to students who may have been affected by data breaches
• Make connections to students' everyday experiences with privacy
• Consider inviting a guest speaker with expertise in data privacy
• Emphasize that privacy concerns are not just theoretical but affect real people