Trump’s Cybersecurity Legacy: Disinformation, Data Privacy, and the Road Ahead in the 2024 Era

As we step into an era where digital trust feels as fragile as ever, the legacy of Donald Trump’s cybersecurity policies continues to influence the digital landscape. During his time in office, Trump’s administration made notable strides in cybersecurity infrastructure—launching the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and pushing for improved defenses against nation-state threats. However, as we look toward 2024, it’s clear that the policies often prioritized national defense over individual data privacy and left unresolved issues with disinformation. These gaps are particularly pressing today, as cyber threats evolve and personal data security increasingly intersects with civil rights.

Trump’s Cybersecurity Policies: Progress and Oversights

When Trump signed Executive Order 13800 in 2017, he brought national attention to cybersecurity vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure and federal networks. The executive order set a solid foundation, mandating the use of the NIST Cybersecurity Framework across federal agencies and promoting stronger partnerships with the private sector. This push aimed to protect the national grid, banking systems, and health care networks from foreign and domestic cyber attacks, representing a critical first step.

Yet, while these measures addressed system vulnerabilities, they largely sidestepped disinformation and individual data privacy. CISA, established under Trump in 2018, took responsibility for election integrity, partnering with local governments to identify vulnerabilities in voting systems. But, as many critics argue, there was no comprehensive strategy for handling the broader information environment where falsehoods spread unchecked, targeting voters’ minds as much as the voting machines themselves.

The Growth of Disinformation and AI’s Role in Manipulating Reality

In recent years, disinformation has morphed from misleading articles and fake news into sophisticated campaigns, often engineered by AI. Today, we’re not just dealing with rumors online; AI-driven deepfakes and synthetic media have made it possible to fabricate convincing video and audio, blurring the lines between fact and fiction. By the end of Trump’s term, these tools were already being weaponized to target not only elections but public discourse, personal reputations, and even international relations.

In the 2024 era, disinformation tactics are more personalized and invasive, designed to appeal directly to individual biases and fears. By leveraging data from social media platforms, bad actors can segment audiences with precision, creating echo chambers where misinformation thrives. Here, AI’s potential to produce high volumes of targeted content can sow doubt across millions of people almost instantly. Despite the foundational work done by agencies like CISA, these new forms of digital manipulation outpace the U.S.’s regulatory capabilities, leaving individuals vulnerable to exploitation.

GDPR: Europe’s Answer to Data Privacy and a Blueprint for the U.S.?

As disinformation thrives, so does the conversation around data privacy—especially given that user data is often the fuel powering these campaigns. The European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which came into effect in 2018, set a global standard for data privacy. It requires companies to be transparent about data collection, mandates consumer consent, and gives users the “right to be forgotten.” This powerful framework has forced tech giants like Google and Facebook to comply or face hefty fines.

In contrast, the U.S. lacks a unified federal approach to data privacy. Instead, individual states like California have introduced their own laws (e.g., the California Consumer Privacy Act), creating a patchwork system that often confuses consumers and leaves gaps in protection. Without federal regulations similar to GDPR, many Americans are unaware of how their data is collected, sold, or used to influence behavior. As we approach 2024, pressure is mounting for the U.S. to adopt its own version of GDPR—a comprehensive law that can protect citizens from data exploitation and hold corporations accountable.

The Personal Data Crisis: Privacy as a Civil Right

The data we generate—from browsing histories and shopping habits to more intimate details like location data and social interactions—has become an exploitable resource. The Trump administration’s cybersecurity focus, primarily on national infrastructure, overlooked the ways in which personal data could be weaponized. Now, as AI technologies become more powerful, this data is even more valuable—and more at risk.

In a society where digital privacy equates to personal safety, the absence of strong protections leaves individuals exposed to corporate and government overreach. From the 2018 Cambridge Analytica scandal to the recent use of personal data in political campaigns, we’ve seen how data can manipulate voter behavior, shape public opinion, and even determine election outcomes. With each incident, the urgency for federal legislation that protects individuals’ digital rights grows.

In the 2024 era, it’s crucial that data privacy is treated not just as a regulatory issue but as a civil right. A comprehensive data privacy law would not only secure personal information but would also safeguard the public from data misuse, ensuring that our digital footprints cannot be exploited to manipulate or coerce. GDPR provides a strong model here, balancing business interests with individual freedoms—a balance the U.S. must now consider.

Striking a Balance: Security, Privacy, and Civil Liberties in the 2024 Era

The path forward requires more than just reactive policies; it demands a proactive approach to cybersecurity that includes disinformation controls and strong data privacy protections. The Trump era laid some foundational blocks, but the architecture of modern cybersecurity needs to be reshaped to keep pace with evolving threats.

For the U.S., this means establishing a federal privacy framework akin to GDPR, one that respects individual rights while providing transparency in data use. For social media platforms and tech companies, it involves increased accountability in the fight against AI-driven disinformation. And for agencies like CISA, it means expanding beyond infrastructure protection to consider the holistic impact of cybersecurity on democratic processes and personal liberties.

Conclusion: Reimagining Cybersecurity for the Digital Age

Trump’s cybersecurity legacy emphasized national security, but it left critical gaps in disinformation control and personal data privacy. As we look to 2024 and beyond, these areas represent both our greatest vulnerabilities and our greatest opportunities. By reimagining cybersecurity with a balance of privacy, accountability, and proactive defense, the U.S. can create a digital future that is as secure as it is free. Whether or not the country embraces this vision will shape the digital experience for generations to come.