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September 28, 2017

International data protection authorities endorse resolution on enforcement cooperation

International data protection authorities have endorsed resolutions addressing issues such as enforcement cooperation, privacy and automated and connected vehicles, as well as collaboration with consumer protection authorities.

The 39^th International Conference of Data Protection and Privacy Commissioners took place this week in Hong Kong.  The annual conference brings together data protection authorities from around the globe.

Also at the conference, the winning entries for the inaugural Global Privacy and Data Protection Awards were announced. The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) was among the winners in two categories. A joint investigation into the Ashley Madison breach won the Chair’s Grand Award for Innovation and an award in the dispute resolution, compliance and enforcement category. The investigation involved three authorities – the OPC, the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner and the United States Federal Trade Commission.

The investigation was a model on how to achieve cross-border cooperation in privacy enforcement, according to John Edwards, chair of the executive committee of the International Conference of Data Protection and Privacy Commissioners.

The Conference adopted a Resolution on exploring future options for International Enforcement Cooperation proposed by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, the UK Information Commissioner’s Office and the Dutch data protection authority.

The resolution identifies key principles for legislation to enable privacy enforcement authorities to cooperate more effectively. It also amends the Global Cross Border Enforcement Cooperation Arrangement in order to allow more authorities to participate in the Arrangement within the constraints of their respective domestic laws.

A Resolution on Data Protection in Automated and Connected Vehicles is directed not just at data protection authorities, but also at standardization bodies, public authorities, vehicle and equipment manufacturers, personal transportation services and car rental providers, and providers of data driven services. The resolution calls upon them to respect user’s privacy rights at every step of development and urges they take specified steps to achieve due privacy protection

The Conference also adopted a Resolution on Collaboration between DPAs and Consumer Protection Authorities for Better Online Protection of Citizens and Consumers in the Digital Economy, which recommends that the Conference find ways to improve collaboration at international level between DPAs and Consumer Protection Authorities, and that a Working Group be established for this purpose.