The 5 best books on data protection in companies {reading tip}

Thanks to the data scandal at Facebook and GDPR, the important topic of data protection is now on everyone's lips. This means major challenges, especially for HR departments. These books will help you deal with them.

Implement the DSG Regulation correctly

Strictly speaking, for a book dealing with the Implementation of the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), actually too late. Because the deadline for this is for authorities, clubs and Companys mercilessly expired in May 2018.

After all, the so-called “responsible bodies”, so-called by the legislator, had two years to make the switch from the Federal Data Protection Act to the new, Europe-wide regulation. But by no means all companies have managed this in time. And, as hardly to be expected, there is still a great deal of uncertainty in many companies as to what concrete effects the regulations will have on their own specialist area.

Data protection in human resources

Probably nowhere in the company do so many personal and sensitive data come together as in the human resources department. In the personnel file, reviews of the employee are stored. It also includes information about his earnings and bank details.

The documents are not much different Candidate to open positions at the company. Certificates, CVs, addresses - these are all data that must be protected. What does the HR department have to specifically consider in their work? This is the basic question that the contributions collected by Axel von Walter as editor answer.

Concrete answers to many questions about the DSG-VO

The subtitle of the book (almost) misleads the reader a bit. Yes, it is about data protection in HR work. But the topic is described so comprehensively that even the Employees other departments will read the book with profit.

This applies in particular to all topics that have to be solved by companies across all departments. These are then the order data processing or the maintenance of the processing directory or the position and appointment of a data protection officer. After all, these designs account for a good half of the circumference.

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Well-founded technical contributions

The individual technical contributions have the necessary depth, but are still written in a generally understandable way. Through many footnotes and annotations, they relate to past judgments, comments and the actual legislation. Thus, the almost 400 pages strong title is both workbook and reference book.

The publisher and authors have succeeded in providing a practical and well-founded guide to implementing the DSG Regulation in the company. The book is also interesting for the readers of other departments, because many cross-cutting issues are brought to the point.

Data protection - prefer not to be involved?

I expected a lot from this book. Presumably mainly because I am an author, Constanze Kurz, spokeswoman for the Chaos Computer Club and technical expert for the Enquete Commission "Internet and digital society” several times live and as very competently had experienced.

Now, that's the thing with high expectations: you're often sorely disappointed. So also in this case. It starts with the emphatically indifferent Style at. Especially with a topic as hot as data protection and two such competent authors, I expect them to take part in the discussion and be personally involved.

Their book, on the other hand, appears as if they have nothing to do with the whole thing. The style is also due to the fact that the book instead of exciting reading pleasure rather bubbling boredom offers. Too bad for the title.

The highlights

But let's assume that it's about the content, not the style: In principle, I had expected from the book what the subtitle promised: information on data protection issues - and how I did the corresponding Problems solve, even with some technical explanations.

This technical information is also available - for example, if the authors describe in detail how radio cell evaluation works with the voluntary location bug mobile phone or what information is hidden in image files. These are the highlights of the book.

Trips to science fiction

Unfortunately, they are always interrupted by long-winded descriptions, which are intended to portray the future development of our society as an example - which, however, have left me with the impression that the authors have just wanted to try between science fiction authors.

It is, of course, against fictional examples in Sachbüchern nothing to say, I have worked in previous books also gladly even to make matters clear. In connection with data protection, however, this styling means a problem:

The less evidence, the more menacing

Because it is precisely these unproven descriptions based on pure assumptions by the authors that are particularly frightening. Christian Buggisch just got the British one three days ago Risks-Researcher John Adams and his Compulsive Risk Assessment Psychosis, i.e. compulsive risk assessment psychosis, quoted:

"According to this, the risk for everything imaginable is compulsorily calculated - not infrequently on the basis of pseudoscientific and false assumptions." The joke is that the less a hazard can be proven, the more threatening it is.

From the real example of the Netherlands…

This is exactly what is shown in “The Data Eaters”! About page 185: Here, using the example of the Netherlands, it should be shown what can happen if the state interferes too much in the lives of its citizens. As part of the “Project Counteraction” will be given to certain citizens special awareness in the form of tax audits, parking checks and other official stress.

It is not clear according to which criteria these victims are selected - but the authors suspect that perhaps a special algorithm is at work that identified certain behavioral patterns as problematic.

... for baseless speculation

And that is exactly where the problem of the book lies: From the real existing "Projects Counteract” to pure speculation about the selection algorithm, it is only a small step for the authors. For the readers, however, the result seems much more threatening.

I am not going to go so far as to accuse the Chaos Computer Club of economic hostility, but on the contrary, I think that one must also think about where the journey is going in the course of an increasingly neoliberal and technologically advanced society - and that one should take a critical look at it must, even with such examples.

Discomfort and minor errors

But if there are even minor errors in addition to such unproven examples, things get annoying: On page 253, the authors write that Facebook have the irrevocable right to use all uploaded data - even if the users delete their account. The latter, however, is not true: Facebook introduce this in 2009, but then rowed back due to massive protests.

Nevertheless, due to the technical expertise of the authors, “Die Datenfresser” is a recommendable book - only the parts in which the authors know less and suspect more should be skipped better.

More differentiated consideration desirable

Via the internet, social networks and especially via Facebook a lot of negative things are reported in Germany. Ground: Anxiety about security and data. One could even speak of a real data protection hysteria.

I found the approach of the American journalist David Kirkpatrick great: He started, Zuckerberg's career and the emergence of the currently most successful social network Facebook to illuminate. However: a more differentiated approach would have been better.

What I was expecting was an entertaining non-fiction book of the "What Would Google Do" style. I also had a bit to say about its author Jeff Jarvis positive point of view. And yet Jarvis' book was more entertaining, more imaginative - and somehow more critical than Kirkpatrick's tome.

Zuckerberg Vita instead of Facebook-Analysis

This may be due to the business idea at Jarvis, from which you could read out all sorts of practical tips. At Kirckpatrick, 400's small-sized pages are almost all about one: Mark Zuckerberg.

Therefore how he to his ideas came. His story. How he became what he is. How he handles the management, how he treats his people, how he scolds influential investors who buy his company from him, who invites him to dinner or for a short trip in the company jet and and and...

Boring details

All this makes Kirckpatrick's book one thing above all: lengthy. Not to say boring. Of course you can also see it positively: After all, you are accompanied by the career of one of the most successful men in the world, we can practically look over his shoulder. Personally, I would have preferred to forego a few anecdotes and details

What is missing, however, is the critical view. And where Jeff Jarvis is still talking about Google's approach in China, Kirkpatrick is doing a kind of permanently penetrating greenwashing that may be emerging Criticism already nipped in the bud with arguments.

Penetrating greenwashing

"Zuckerberg and a number of his key colleagues are also convinced that if we openly show who we are and act consistently towards all friends, we will help create a healthier society."

Aside from the fact that I'm wondering who the important colleagues here are who are supposed to be serving as alibi, Kirkpatrick's argument is rendered obsolete by the fact that Zuckerberg is known to be a big secret privacy power.

Zuckerberg gently rinsed

If Kirkpatrick was trying to portray Zuckerberg as the nice guy next door who got rich on the side with such statements (oh god how sympathisch!), so that unfortunately went wrong.

Eternally long discourses about American data protection practices and the penchant for American openness, which, as the author correctly points out, just don't help light can be transferred to other cultures, little.

Try an apology?

Actually, it sounds more like trying to make an excuse. But this is probably the real one Sinn of this book: A very positive Zuckerberg and FacebookTo create an image that creates understanding and thus acceptance for one's actions?

If Kirkpatrick had a factual analysis of Facebook-Strategy stayed instead of hitting the emotional Zuckerberg tube, he might have succeeded. However, another title for this book would have been more appropriate: "The ZuckerbergLife".

Insider info by proximity?

It is commonly said that journalists Distance must have on the subject they are writing about. And here you can see what comes out of it. Apparently the adulation is the price that the author gives to the Facebook-Macher was allowed to look over his shoulder so comprehensively and use so much inside information.

Or has the author simply lost his critical distance?

A little criticism does not hurt?

In the winter of 2011 I attended a panel discussion in St. Oberholz in Berlin, which was once again about the eternal topic of the evil internet. Jens Best was there, trying to take a more differentiated look at the topic. The moderators who tried to stir up panic with transparent taunts and stir up the discussion. And Sascha Adamek, whose Facebook-Trap had just come out.

Even if the same clichés were thrashed again and again in the discussion, I finally ordered the book: Some criticism of Facebook can't hurt after David Kirckpatrik had rather smeared honey around the mouth of the blue Risen. What a mistake!

Trimmed on bestseller!

Adamek's fast-paced headlines and ruthless style, which is very best-designed for the bestseller, wants to elucidate the machinations of the Zuckerberg empire - and only serve trite stereotypes.

For example, Adamek lets the epic breadth of the disadvantages of the eMail-Friend Finders from who apparently, once pressed, Facebook allowed to access our address books for all future. Only: This is nothing new, a corresponding function. There are also factual errors:

Factual errors

For example, on page 142, Adamek cleverly mixes up the facts about the search engine Google, so that the inexperienced reader gets a completely wrong impression: It says:

“Google measures the popularity of millions of websites worldwide. And nothing is for People and brands that want to be found on the internet are more comfortable than appearing high in that search engine ranking.”

This embedded in a chapter on Facebooks "Like button" and for tracking user data in social media networks. It now sounds as if the Google ranking would also change by clicking a “Like” button. fast and easy manipulate let.

Algorithms are more complex

In fact, the algorithm according to which Google calculates the ranking of its search results is much more complicated: certainly like buttons also play a role, however, corresponding updates and also Google + 1 Button were largely implemented only after the release of Adamek's book.

In fact, the popularity in the Google ranking is measured far more from the linking from other sites that clear are more difficult to achieve and thus represent a better quality feature. In short: the impression that the author gave here through this superficiality is simply wrong and that should also apply to other areas of the book.

Speculation without evidence

After all, it is Adamek's merit to draw the attention of even inexperienced users to the fact that the Facebook is not a social, self-serving association and you should be a little careful with your data there. For example if he has the connection from Facebook and writes to the US secret service, which Adamek cannot prove despite some well-made associations.

It becomes even more speculative and science fiction-like when Adamek talks about Facebook as a precursor to the artificial Intelligence writes. Paradoxically, it is precisely these diffuse, unclear scenarios that serve the audience's fears in a targeted manner.

Skepticism against social media

Let's stay on the carpet. Such unproven scaremongering does not get us anywhere. In fact, one notices Adamek's skepticism not only towards Facebook, but against all of social media and this new kind of internet stuff that the Privacy softens, just like that.

Because Adamek doesn't just write about Facebook, but also quickly uses the prejudice that Twitter only exchanges trivialities. But if you really want to lump Twitter and Facebook together - please! So Adamek writes on page 226:

“On the other hand, presenters like Anne Will, Frank Plasberg, Johannes B. Kerner or Maybrit Illner have a fixed slot for their talk shows, a beginning and an end. As a viewer, you concentrate on the discussion or let it stay. On Facebook and Twitter, however, the debates never have a beginning or an end. There is constant chatter here, but the discussion is difficult. "

TV is better?

In other words, the broadcasts of TV presenters are worth watching. When you have seen that, you know everything you need to know. Keeping track of all further discussions costs too much time and is not really necessary.

Incidentally, even Adamek works primarily for television! And: If you look at Twitter discussions about the relevant programs, will be better informed. Because it shows that among the many allegedly so unnecessary contributions to the discussion are many pearls and a lot of background information that does not come out in the flat programs. Lived democracy just!

Diaspora in Bulgaria?

Actually, his book could just as well have been called The Social Media Trap. That you not only scare the users, but also them Alternatives could show, that doesn't occur to Adamek. Although he mentions alternatives such as diaspora, he compares them to Bulgaria, where there is water and electricity but friends would never follow.

The Success of Google+ meanwhile proves Adamek to be a lie: in just two weeks, Google's new network was able to attract ten million new members and thus grew faster than Facebook. This shows that users are very much willing to switch if it is done sensibly.

More expertise please!

A somewhat more differentiated perspective and a little more expertise from the author, own social media experience instead of just reading Background and play around with Fac a littleebook wäre for sure been helpful in writing a more competent and differentiated book." “The question asks the American journalist, blogger and Professor Jeff Jarvis in his book of the same name. And to say it right from the start: The thought game of transferring the success strategy of the internet giant Google to other companies is more than interesting.

Jarvis theses are nothing new and I have to admit that I was just about to put the book aside (even if it is well written):

Moving away from the mass market, more niche products and communication

The Internet is not a mass market; on the contrary, it enables a mass of markets because it facilitates inexpensive, decentralized production and enables targeted distribution. In this way, the web offers space for suppliers of niche products, regardless of whether they are rare piano sheet music, made-to-measure clothing for plus sizes or special types of coffee. But the manufacturers often have a world market with them customers from all continents, because a good ranking on Google is often enough for them to constantly win new customers.

The key here, however, is the networking and Communication with active as well as potential customers, but also with competitors. The entire advertising strategy is essentially based on this: Because the companies have small, manageable target groups, you can address them much more precisely - e.g. via specialist media and at specialist events, but above all in direct dialogue: precisely because the niche provider is a specialist in his field, he can offer tailor-made performance in very good quality, with convincing service and excellent technical know-how. As a result, he quickly gains the trust of customers in his Expertise.

Customers and companies work together

What's more, the customers also help the company to optimize products and services because they draw attention to errors and make suggestions for improvement. A System of open exchange and healthy cooperation, from which everyone benefits.

Incidentally, this also applies to the so-called competitors: For anyone who sets himself apart from others through specialized products or services does not need to fear competition, but can cooperate with them to gain new customers or act together. What is new, however, is that Jarvis can all well prove these ideas, which otherwise seem so abstract, with the success of Google.

The perfect strategy?

Because Google, so Jarvis, has perfected this strategy: So the Internet giant brings out its products in a continuous beta stage, so that customers then help with tips in the development. Google does not assume that the user comes to him, but comes to the user by his cards, videos, search functions and also the banner ads on other sites available - the departure of the autocratic policy of many companies who believe to be able to steer the masses with suitable marketing strategies.

Google is plain and simple to use, although it's a complex one Structure which shows that Google cares a lot about how users behave on a site (since running this blog I know how complicated that is). Finally, another highlight: Google offers its services at such low prices (that is, free of charge!) that it becomes unattractive for competitors to undercut Google. At least this strategy was new to me.

Read - but please critically

Still, the book makes me a little skeptical: It all sounds a bit too good to be true. That Google expects its employees to show constant commitment (when I visited the Google headquarters in Hamburg last year, you could get an idea of ​​the fact that the employees practically lived there) sees Jarvis rather positive - and from an entrepreneurial point of view it probably is. Whether it is particularly social is another question.

The mass market is dead, long live the niche products - even if Jarvis wants to wipe all concerns about this off the table ("I know all your objections...") I think that's a little too idealistic: According to my personal experiences, for example on the book market with books that a wide Audience address, but go less in depth, but achieve significantly higher profits than with niche products. Unfortunately. But maybe we're just not ready in Germany yet?

Less privacy equals more transparency?

And last but not least, Jarvis brushes off the main criticism of Google for being a data octopus: Because he even thinks it's a positive thing that Google uses its data in a targeted manner Advertising ("This is how I only get advertisements that are relevant to me") and that the hollowing out of privacy is making the Internet more and more transparent:

Because that's how everyone is forced to do it, if possible Honestly to deal with his fellow human beings, because misconduct on the Internet can still be traced years later. So do we all live behind the moon here in Germany?

Bought by Google?

As I was reading, I began to wonder if Jarvis might even Money from Google, there were still a few criticisms of Google in the middle of the book:

For example, the lack of transparency regarding the search engine algorithm or advertising revenue. Jarvis also criticizes Googles Behavior in China. In this way, Jarvis shows very nicely that it is in the new Economy is about creating publicity and trust, but only to a limited extent. And where this bar lies, everyone has to decide for themselves decide.

Interesting and worth reading book

All in all, however, a very readable book, which should also be considered critically. Of course, as a journalist, I found it particularly interesting to hear the statements made by Jarvis on the trend in the media sector, which many publishers have overshadowed.

In any case, I found Jarvis' theses so remarkable that in the coming weeks I want to deal with them in a little more detail in a small series of articles and even check one or the other for their practicality. So you can be curious. "

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