The world these days is a scary place, but we shouldn’t have to be scared of the data that we create throughout our lives. In fact, our personal data footprint can be a tool for good. Egan provides insight into the many ways that we rely on data sharing to help create a functional internet, and the impact that sharing has on the greater world. In doing so, Professor Egan eases our fears by walking us through the many misconceptions we have, rooted in scientific understanding and her valuable career experience in the advertising industry, about data sharing and privacy. Beth Donnelly Egan is Associate Professor of advertising at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communication. She is author of Media Planning Essentials, an online media planning course. She also writes and consults on issues surrounding data privacy and regulation. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx