"Data privacy" refers to the protection and management of personal information shared by users in digital environments. It encompasses various practices, regulations, and technologies to ensure that individuals' data remains confidential and is only used for legitimate purposes. This is crucial as it helps build user trust, enables compliance with laws like GDPR, and provides users with greater control over their information. An effective data privacy strategy mitigates risks of data abuse and breaches, fostering a secure digital landscape for both users and organizations.