Your Data and AI: Privacy in the Digital Age

Lesson 9 - Understanding and Protecting Your Digital Privacy

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Your Data and AI

Privacy in the Digital Age

Lesson 9: Taking Control of Your Digital Footprint

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Essential Question

Who has access to your data, and what are they doing with it?

By the end of today's lesson, you'll understand how AI collects your personal information and learn practical strategies to protect your privacy.

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Your Digital Footprint: By the Numbers

1.7MB Data generated per second by average person
147GB Data created per day by average internet user
2,000+ Data points collected on you annually

Every click, search, like, and swipe creates a digital trail that AI systems analyze and use.

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How AI Collects Your Data

Four Types of Data Collection

Visual: Flowchart showing data collection methods

  • Explicit Data: Information you actively provide (registration forms, profile creation)
  • Implicit Data: Usage patterns captured automatically (browsing history, clicks)
  • Passive Data: Background information collected without interaction (location, device info)
  • Inferred Data: AI predictions about you based on patterns (interests, behaviors)
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What Data Does AI Collect About You?

Personal Information

  • Name, age, location
  • Email and phone number
  • Photos and videos
  • Contacts and connections

Behavioral Data

  • Search history
  • Websites visited
  • Time spent on pages
  • Click patterns

Device Information

  • Device type and model
  • Operating system
  • IP address
  • Browser type

Inferred Information

  • Interests and preferences
  • Purchasing likelihood
  • Social connections
  • Personality traits
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How AI Uses Your Data

Data Usage Visualization

Visual: Circular diagram showing data flow from collection to usage

  • Personalization: Recommendations on Netflix, Spotify, YouTube, TikTok
  • Targeted Advertising: Ads that follow you across websites
  • Predictive Analytics: Forecasting your behavior and interests
  • Product Development: Improving services based on user patterns
  • Data Sales: Selling aggregated data to third parties
  • Security: Fraud detection and account protection (positive use)
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Data Collection: Benefits vs. Risks

✓ Benefits

  • Personalized experiences
  • Relevant recommendations
  • Time-saving features
  • Discovering new content
  • Enhanced security
  • Free services

⚠ Risks

  • Privacy invasion
  • Data breaches
  • Manipulation
  • Discrimination
  • Filter bubbles
  • Loss of control

The key is finding the right balance between convenience and privacy.

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Activity: Personal Privacy Audit

Time to discover your digital footprint! Use your worksheet to:

  1. List all apps and platforms you use
  2. Review what information you provided
  3. Check what permissions apps have
  4. Explore privacy settings
  5. Identify third-party connections
  6. Reflect on your findings

Remember: This is for your awareness - you don't have to share sensitive findings with others.

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Privacy Laws That Protect You

COPPA

Children's Online Privacy Protection Act

  • Protects kids under 13
  • Requires parental consent
  • Explains age minimums on apps

FERPA

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

  • Protects student records
  • Controls school data sharing
  • Gives access rights

GDPR

General Data Protection Regulation (EU)

  • Influenced global practices
  • "Right to be forgotten"
  • Cookie consent banners

State Laws

CCPA, VCDPA, CPA, and more

  • Growing state protections
  • Opt-out of data sales
  • Access and deletion rights
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Your Privacy Rights

You Have the Right To:

  1. Know what data is collected about you
  2. Access your personal data
  3. Correct inaccurate information
  4. Delete your data (in many cases)
  5. Opt-out of data sharing or sales
  6. Not be discriminated against for exercising your rights

These rights only matter if you use them! Take action to protect your privacy.

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Common Privacy Mistakes to Avoid

  • Accepting all app permissions without reading them
  • Using the same password everywhere
  • Oversharing on social media
  • Ignoring privacy settings and leaving defaults
  • Clicking "I agree" without reading terms
  • Using public Wi-Fi for sensitive activities
  • Not reviewing connected apps and services
  • Thinking "I have nothing to hide"

Privacy is about control, not secrecy!

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10 Ways to Protect Your Privacy

  1. Review privacy settings regularly
  2. Only grant necessary permissions
  3. Use strong, unique passwords
  4. Enable two-factor authentication
  5. Think before you post
  1. Delete unused apps and accounts
  2. Read key sections of privacy policies
  3. Turn off unnecessary location tracking
  4. Clear cookies and browsing data
  5. Be skeptical of requests for info

Start with one or two changes today - every step makes a difference!

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Your Privacy Protection Action Plan

This Week:

Choose 3 immediate actions to improve your privacy

This Month:

Develop ongoing privacy habits and routines

Long Term:

Set privacy goals and stay informed about new technologies

Complete your action plan worksheet to commit to protecting your digital privacy!

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Think About It

Discussion Questions:

  1. What surprised you most about your privacy audit?
  2. Where should we draw the line between convenience and privacy?
  3. Do you feel you have control over your personal data?
  4. How has this lesson changed your thinking about your digital presence?
  5. What responsibilities do we have as digital citizens?
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Key Takeaways

1. AI collects massive amounts of data about you through explicit, implicit, passive, and inferred methods.

2. Privacy laws like COPPA, FERPA, GDPR, and state laws give you important rights over your data.

3. You can take action to protect your privacy through settings, habits, and exercising your rights.

Privacy is not a one-time fix - it's an ongoing practice!

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Learn More

Helpful Resources:

  • Federal Trade Commission: Consumer.ftc.gov
  • Electronic Frontier Foundation: EFF.org
  • Common Sense Media: CommonSenseMedia.org
  • Privacy Rights Clearinghouse: PrivacyRights.org
  • Your State Attorney General: Search for your state

Download all lesson materials from the lesson repository!

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Take Control of Your Privacy!

Every action you take makes a difference in protecting your digital rights.

Your data. Your rights. Your choice.

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Presentation Notes for Teachers

How to Use This Presentation:

  • Slides 1-3: Introduction and hook to engage students with surprising statistics
  • Slides 4-7: Core instruction on data collection methods and usage
  • Slide 8: Transition to hands-on privacy audit activity
  • Slides 9-10: Legal framework and rights overview
  • Slides 11-13: Practical privacy protection strategies and action planning
  • Slides 14-17: Discussion, synthesis, and closure

Customization Tips:

  • Add actual data visualizations using tools like charts, graphs, and diagrams
  • Include screenshots of real privacy settings from popular platforms
  • Embed video clips showing data collection in action
  • Add QR codes linking to resources or interactive activities
  • Customize examples to reflect your students' most-used platforms

This HTML version can be converted to PowerPoint or Google Slides using export tools, or used as a reference to create your own slides.