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Privacy Workshop

Part of the Penn State Berks Privacy Workshop Series

Welcome to the First Year Seminar Privacy Workshop!

In this workshop we will:

  • Learn about our personal data, how it is collected, and its potential uses
  • Reflect on how these practices impact our personal lives and society as a whole
  • Discuss how we can make informed, intentional choices to safeguard our privacy

blank white keyboard on a black background with the word 'privacy' in the middle

Image adapted from "Privacy" by g4ll4is via flickr under CC BY-SA 2.0


Personal data tracks

Visit each station posted throughout the room and answer the questions:

  • Where have you left data tracks today?
  • What data do you think is collected about you regularly?
  • What apps do you use daily?  Weekly?
  • What steps do you already take to protect your data?  If you have never thought about it, share that too!
  • What does privacy mean to you?

Made with Padlet

What's collected & who do "they" think I am?

Explore the links below to garner a better understanding of what metadata is being collected about your online behaviors and activities.  

What surprised you about the data that browsers track?  Are your ad profiles creepily accurate, or bizarrely inaccurate?  Share examples in the Padlet below!

Made with Padlet

How are algorithms & big data impacting society?

In your group, select an article from your assigned category about how automatically monitored data is being collected and modeled in a variety of contexts.  

Be prepared to report back to the class on the positive and negative impacts of these practices on individuals…and society!

Assigned category / topic (select from articles listed below):

Health & Wellness

Want more Health & Wellness? Join us for the Digital Wellness Workshop!

Social Justice / Civil Rights

Want more social justice? Join us for the Data Justice Workshop!

Consumer Privacy

Want more Consumer Privacy? Join us for the Digital Shred Workshop!

Generative AI

Want more Generative AI? Join us for the Hidden Layer Workshop!

Intimate Privacy

Want more Intimate Privacy? Join us for the Private Bits Workshop!

Employment & Labor Force

Want more Employment & Labor Force? Join us for the Digital Professionalism Workshop!

Personal Data Plan

Download the Personal Data Plan file and begin reflecting on the guiding questions on the first page.  The second page includes a Data Privacy Checklist to help you conduct risk-benefit analysis for the various apps and technology that you use day-to-day.