Personal Data Protection Office on tour across Poland - stop in Płock

On 5 November, as part of the ‘Personal Data Protection Office on tour across Poland’ action, experts from the Personal Data Protection Office visited Płock. Meetings with residents, representatives of local governments, public institutions, students and seniors were devoted to the issues of personal data security and responsible use of new technologies. During the meetings, the President of the Personal Data Protection Office was accompanied by Monika Krasińska, Director of the Law and New Technologies Department and Anna Grzelak, Director of the Social Projects and Sustainable Development Department, Karol Witowski, Director of the Spokesperson Department and other experts from the Personal Data Protection Office.

During the visit, the President of the Personal Data Protection Office, Mirosław Wróblewski, emphasised that the protection of personal data is the foundation of state security. "Data protection is an essential safety feature, an integral part of a state's security system. Public records are a potential target because they contain huge amounts of personal data," he said.

He also pointed out the importance of awareness in the use of technology. "Fake links are a huge threat, as many as 65% of people click on the link they receive. This shows that the awareness of threats online  is extremely important. One needs to adopt a digital hygiene while online” - emphasised the President of the Personal Data Protection Office.

As he noted, contrary to popular perceptions, seniors are increasingly showing more caution and awareness of threats than young internet users. "Young people are proficient in the use of devices, but they often lack cautiousness" he added.

Monika Krasińska, Director of the Law and New Technologies Department also spoke about the comprehensive approach to data protection. “With regard to the protection of personal data, we cannot focus only on the legal or organisational dimension. Data protection should be treated comprehensively and become closer to us," she stressed.

During the visit, the experts from the Personal Data Protection Office also provided individual advice to the residents of Płock and met with students and senior representatives to talk about online safety and awareness in using digital media.

Since the beginning of his term of office, the President of the Personal Data Protection Office has stressed that children and their personal data require special protection. The Personal Data Protection Office has been consistently implementing educational activities in this area for years, including the ‘Your Data - Your Concern’ programme, which supports schools and teachers in shaping attitudes towards responsible use of information and privacy protection among the youngest.