Kaspersky Predicts 2024 Privacy Trends Globally

Data Privacy Day, observed annually on January 28, aims to increase awareness of privacy issues. Kaspersky notes that the privacy landscape is undergoing significant changes due to the emergence of new technologies and evolving regulatory practices. Key events in 2023 across social, economic, and political spheres, along with emerging technological trends, will shape the privacy landscape in 2024. Kaspersky’s experts predict:

1. AI-enabled wearables may trigger fresh privacy debates. Despite the acceptance of devices like smartphones and smart assistants, wearables with cameras, such as smart glasses or AI pins, may raise concerns among privacy-conscious individuals, given their overt nature and potential popularity.
2. AR and VR advancements are expected to set new privacy standards in 2024. The launch of Apple Vision Pro and the increased integration of AR/VR into daily life, especially in the absence of proper regulations, will likely bring privacy concerns to the forefront.
3. Enhancing privacy through the rise of assistant bots. The growing prevalence of assistant bots, powered by natural language processing (NLP), presents an opportunity to boost user privacy in various sectors. These bots could play a crucial role in safeguarding personal data, particularly during calls, by handling them seamlessly and protecting sensitive information like the user’s voice.
4. Decreased concern over leaked passwords due to improved authentication methods. The increasing use of two-factor authentication, where an additional code is sent via SMS or generated by an authenticator app, has lessened fears of leaked passwords. Some services, such as Google, have adopted “passwordless” authentication via passkeys, while others prioritize biometric authentication over traditional passwords.

“In the era of evolving technologies, the concept of private data must extend beyond traditional boundaries. The introduction of AI-enabled wearables, AR/VR advancements, and the prominence of assistant bots requires a broader understanding of privacy. As these innovations become integral to daily life, our perception of personal data must encompass not only what we willingly share but also the nuanced interactions and insights these technologies inherently possess,” remarks Anna Larkina, a security and privacy expert at Kaspersky.