CYBERWYOMING PROMOTES SUBSCRIPTION AWARENESS FOR DATA PRIVACY WEEK 2026 

LARAMIE — For Data Privacy Week, January 26–30, 2026, CyberWyoming Alliance calls on Wyoming residents and businesses to take practical steps to protect their personal information, starting with the emails they receive every day.

“Your email inbox is often the front door to your digital life,” said Laura Baker, Executive Director of CyberWyoming. “Cleaning it up helps you recognize what’s normal, so when something suspicious appears, you’re less likely to click on it.”

Data Privacy Week focuses on empowering individuals to manage how their personal information is collected and used. While people cannot control every aspect of data collection, they can take repeatable actions that reduce risk, like cleaning up email subscriptions.

A cluttered inbox can make malicious messages harder to identify and increases exposure to companies that collect personal information for marketing or resale. By unsubscribing from unnecessary emails and services, individuals reduce the amount of data being shared and limit opportunities for misuse.

Unsubscribe Week encourages people to:

• Unsubscribe from emails they no longer read
• Review paid subscriptions to ensure they are still needed
• Reduce unnecessary data sharing with businesses and online services

According to a 2025 CNET personal finance subscription survey, the average U.S. adult spends $1,080 per year on subscriptions, with nearly $200 spent on unused services. Streaming subscriptions are the most common, followed by e-commerce, music, big-box retailers, and gaming.

“I spoke to one Cheyenne resident after she had to cancel her credit card due to a scam.  She took the additional task of cleaning up her paid subscriptions and estimates that she saved over $500,” said Baker.

Because not all emails are trustworthy, CyberWyoming Alliance recommends unsubscribing with care:

• Use unsubscribe links only from trusted, legitimate senders
• Avoid clicking unsubscribe links in suspicious emails; mark them as spam instead
• Log directly into trusted accounts to manage email preferences
• Delete old newsletters and promotional emails you no longer read
• Review bank and credit card statements to identify subscriptions that may no longer be needed

Managing subscriptions, adjusting privacy settings, and reducing inbox clutter all support the larger goals of Data Privacy Week. These actions help limit unnecessary data collection, reduce exposure to scams, and reinforce healthy digital habits.

“Data privacy doesn’t require perfection,” Baker said. “It’s about taking control where you can, one step at a time. Cleaning up your inbox this January is a great place to start.”

For more information about Data Privacy Week resources and cybersecurity tips, visit https://www.staysafeonline.org/data-privacy-week.

While simple actions like unsubscribing can make a real difference, long-term data privacy and cybersecurity take ongoing attention, especially for small businesses. To support that work, CyberWyoming has the Made Safe Cybersecurity Training Program, a one-on-one, hands-on program designed specifically for micro-businesses without IT staff.

“Our program is about giving small businesses the tools they need to take charge of their systems and data, leading to better security and peace of mind,” Baker added. Participants typically reduce their cybersecurity risks by more than 70%, gaining stronger protections and greater peace of mind.

The program uses a pay-what-you-can pricing model, with scholarships available for Wyoming businesses. To learn more, visit https://cyberwyoming.org/cyber-training/. 

About the CyberWyoming Alliance: The CyberWyoming Alliance is a statewide, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in Laramie whose mission is to increase cybersecurity awareness, education, and outreach in communities across the State of Wyoming. Learn more at: https://cyberwyoming.org/

About Data Privacy Week: Data Privacy Week, observed January 26–30, 2026, is an international effort led in North America by the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA), the nation’s leading nonprofit public-private partnership dedicated to cybersecurity and privacy education. The week raises awareness about the importance of respecting privacy, safeguarding personal data, and building trust online. Data Privacy Week empowers individuals to better manage their personal information and encourages organizations to be transparent, responsible stewards of the data they collect.