Elizabeth Denham, the UK’s Information Commissioner, has today been elected Chair of the International Conference of Data Protection and Privacy Commissioners (ICDPPC).
Now in its fortieth year, the ICDPPC is the leading global forum of data protection and privacy authorities, encompassing more than 120 members across all continents. The ICDPPC works throughout the year on global data protection policy issues, adopts resolutions and statements addressed to governments and policymakers, and arranges a highly successful annual conference.
On accepting her post, Elizabeth Denham said:
“In the age of borderless data flows, there has never been a more important time for global coherence in data protection and privacy.
“My vision for the ICDPPC is to lead a decade of global data protection. A decade when data protection and privacy by design become mainstream aspects of the digital economy, safeguarding democratic governance and ensuring protection for society’s vulnerable groups, including young people.
“The ICDPPC is a truly unique global forum, championing strong and independent authorities. Key to this is ensuring that authorities can share cutting edge policy and enforcement experience. I am keen to ensure that ICDPPC can continue to support our member authorities with experiences, strategies and best practice that are inclusive of diverse legal frameworks and cultural backgrounds.”
This year’s conference is being co-hosted by the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) and the Bulgarian Commission for Personal Data Protection, in Brussels and Sofia respectively. Closed sessions are taking place for the member authorities on Monday 22 and Tuesday 23 October, with the conference opening up to a wider audience of over 1,400 delegates on Wednesday 24 October.
The theme of this year’s conference is “Debating Ethics: Dignity and Respect in Data Driven Life”. One of the main outcomes of this year’s conference is a declaration on ethics and data protection in artificial intelligence.
The ICDPPC website can be found here.
Notes to Editors
- The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is the UK’s independent regulator for data protection and information rights law, upholding information rights in the public interest, promoting openness by public bodies and data privacy for individuals.
- The ICO has specific responsibilities set out in the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA2018), the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA), Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR) and Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 (PECR).
- The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a new data protection law which applies in the UK from 25 May 2018. Its provisions are included in the Data Protection Act 2018. The Act also includes measures related to wider data protection reforms in areas not covered by the GDPR, such as law enforcement and security. The UK’s decision to leave the EU will not affect the commencement of the GDPR.
- Under past and current law, the ICO can take action to change the behaviour of organisations and individuals that collect, use and keep personal information. This includes criminal prosecution, non-criminal enforcement and audit.
- Since 25 May 2018, the ICO has the power to impose a civil monetary penalty (CMP) on a data controller of up to £17million (20m Euro) or 4% of global turnover.
- The data protection principles in the GDPR evolved from the original DPA, and set out the main responsibilities for organisations. Article 5 of the GDPR requires that personal data shall be:
- Processed lawfully, fairly and in a transparent manner in relation to individuals;
- Collected for specified, explicit and legitimate purposes and not further processed in a manner that is incompatible with those purposes;
- Adequate, relevant and limited to what is necessary in relation to the purposes for which they are processed;
- Accurate and, where necessary, kept up to date;
- Kept in a form which permits identification of data subjects for no longer than is necessary; and
- Processed using appropriate technical or organisational measures in a manner that ensures appropriate security of the personal data.”
Article 5(2) requires that “the controller shall be responsible for, and be able to demonstrate, compliance with the principles.”
Civil Monetary Penalties (CMPs) under past and current law are subject to a right of appeal to the (First-tier Tribunal) General Regulatory Chamber against the imposition of the monetary penalty and/or the amount of the penalty specified in the monetary penalty notice.
- Any monetary penalty is paid into the Treasury’s Consolidated Fund and is not kept by ICO.
- To report a concern to the ICO go to ico.org.uk/concerns.
