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Privacy by Design calls for privacy to be embedded into the architecture of IT systems from the outset — not bolted on after the fact.

The Seven Foundational Principles

1. Proactive Not Reactive — Anticipate and prevent privacy-invasive events before they happen
2. Privacy as the Default — Users should not have to take action to protect their privacy
3. Embedded into Design — Privacy is woven into the core architecture
4. Full Functionality — Reject false trade-offs like “privacy vs. usability”
5. End-to-End Security — Protect data throughout its entire lifecycle
6. Visibility and Transparency — Keep practices open and verifiable
7. Respect for User Privacy — Keep the interests of the individual paramount

Architectural Patterns

Several patterns support Privacy by Design:

// Local-first storage: keep data on the user's device
const storage = {
  strategy: 'local-first',
  sync: {
    enabled: true,
    encryption: 'aes-256-gcm',
    // Only sync encrypted blobs to the server
    rawDataOnServer: false,
  },
};

Common Pitfalls

• Collecting “just in case” data — If you do not have a documented use for a data point, do not collect it
• Logging too much — Application logs often contain personal data
• Third-party SDK leakage — Analytics SDKs frequently exfiltrate data beyond what the host app intends
• Metadata exposure — Even when content is encrypted, metadata can reveal sensitive patterns