Featured Marketing Opinion

posted on Jun. 10, 2025 at 8:20 amJun 9, 2025

Data privacy versus convenience: The delicate digital balance

posted on Jun. 10, 2025 at 8:20 amJun 9, 2025

Hikaya's Huzefa Siamwala explains why the era of 'frictionless everything' must evolve to include transparent, respectful data practices.

Huzefa Siamwala, Founder - Brand Partnerships and Media Solutions, Hikaya

Globally, data privacy is a hot-button issue. In the UAE, the conversation is newer, but it’s gaining momentum, especially as the country positions itself as a digital-first, innovation-led economy.

But here’s what makes the UAE unique: convenience still rules — for consumers, businesses, and even regulators. The average resident in Dubai is hyper-connected, tech-savvy, and accustomed to seamless digital experiences, from ordering groceries on noon or Talabat, to accessing medical records via the DHA app, or tapping through biometric e-gates at DXB.

And yet, in that seamlessness, there’s a quiet trade-off.

We don’t think twice before handing over our email ids at pharmacies

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Tags:clarity Consent Consumer behaviour Consumers control convenience data privacy data storage data usage digital experiences Hikaya Huzefa Siamwala personalisation preferences Privacy transactions

the authorAnup Oommen

Anup Oommen is the Editor of Campaign Middle East at Motivate Media Group, a well-reputed moderator, and a multiple award-winning journalist with more than 15 years of experience at some of the most reputable and credible global news organisations, including Reuters, CNN, and Motivate Media Group. As the Editor of Campaign Middle East, Anup heads market-leading coverage of advertising, media, marketing, PR, events and experiential, digital, the wider creative industries, and more, through the brand’s digital, print, events, directories, podcast and video verticals. As such he’s a key stakeholder in the Campaign Global brand, the world’s leading authority for the advertising, marketing and media industries, which was first published in the UK in 1968.