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"Where we’re going, we don’t need roads"

While life today isn’t quite how it was predicted in ‘Back to the Future’, technology has undoubtedly changed our lives. But while we now live in a digital world where the way our information is used and stored would be unrecognisable 40 years ago, the privacy principles behind how it should be used and stored remain the same.

With widespread internet availability came the ability to share our personal information across the world instantly. Smartphones placed powerful, pocket-sized PCs in the palm of our hands and the discovery of genetic fingerprinting transformed criminal investigations.

Read on to discover how evolving technology has changed our lives forever.

A man switches on a bright white PlusNet Wi-Fi box. A man holds a white box in his hands. It's full to the brim with brightly coloured floppy discs - 726 to be exact. In front of the box in his other hand is a small USB drive. Both the box and the USB drive have exactly the same amount of memory. A person in white gloves and a white lab coat is assembling a small DNA model.Across the backdrop of a golden sunset over the sea - an oil rig looms at the front of this photo. You can see the drill drop down into the ocean gathering millions of pounds worth of this precious commodity.A woman is holding a personal child health record, sometimes known as the red book. It's open at a page that lists, the child family and birth details and local and information sources.A person holds a Nokia 3210 in the palm of their hand

Two surgeons in an operating room. The surgeon closer to the camera is holding a small robotic device. You can see over the over the shoulder of a child as she looks at her Pokémon Go game on her phone. She's carrying a Pikachu and wearing a Pokémon T-shirt.A person is holding a mobile phone in their hands. On the screen there’s a padlock symbol. The phone is encrypted – only those who should have access can get in.A close up of a man as he pulls out a Tesco Clubcard from a black wallet. You can see three other debit cards. A person is selecting an item to buy from a vending machine.

A person types on MSN messenger. The login screen is open and they're about to start a conversation with friends.A young man has put his mobile phone in a stand and is recording himself doing a dance for social media.A black tape recorder is open ready for the blank tape next to it to be placed inside. Two friends are chatting as they drive down a country road. The friend in the passenger seat points ahead as she looks down at Google Maps help her friend navigate the journey. A person in a dark black outfit holds up a mirror to cover their face. The mirror is darkened and the glass is shattered.A still from CCTV footage of a woman as she walks into the ICO’s buildings.