Friday, March 29, 2024

PH elected to voting seat in international privacy body

Despite being a newcomer to data privacy regulation, the Philippines has earned a voting seat in the five-member executive committee of the International Conference of Data Protection and Privacy Commissioners (ICDPPC), a worldwide conference of 119 independent regulators from all over the globe.

NPC commissioner Raymund Liboro (left) with members of the the International Conference of Data Protection and Privacy Commissioners during its ongoing confab in Belgium

The voting was held on Tuesday, October 23, during the closed session meeting at the Palais D? Egmont in Brussels, Belgium. National Privacy Commission (NPC) chief Raymund Enriquez Liboro led the country?s delegation to the event.

?It is an honor for the NPC to represent the country at the ICDPPC, especially in a leadership capacity. This is an acknowledgement of the hard work we expend, as well as the country?s commitment to data protection,? Liboro said.

The Conference?s Executive Committee is composed of five elected members with a term of two years. Current members include the privacy authorities of Australia, Canada, Burkina Faso, and the United Kingdom which holds the chairmanship.

The conference has two additional members, comprising of the next hosting authorities namely: Albania and Mexico. The 2018 Conference has attracted more than 1,200 delegates all over the world.

?Having a seat at the committee?s table to take part in addressing challenges that privacy regulators face is definitely a privilege for the NPC. It?s an opportunity for learning from each other?s experience. Definitely, the Philippines although young has a lot to contribute too especially in assisting new members.? Liboro added.

The conference continues to grow having approved four additional members in the recent closed session coming from Germany, Korea, and Argentina; and eleven new authorities with observer status, notably from Asia, namely: India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and Abu Dhabi.

The NPC?s election comes at a time when the call for a new world order governing data is gaining traction on a global scale.

?What we are seeing today is a crisis of trust that is fueled by unauthorized profiling, surveillance and increasing cases of personal data breaches. It?s a hint for us take a different tact and integrate ethics in the way we process personal data,? Liboro said.

As part of the committee, the NPC is expected to take part in setting the agenda of the conference and in defining its strategic direction for the next two years.

French Privacy Commissioner Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin and outgoing chair of the ICDPPC said the election of the Philippines shows the geographical diversification of this Executive Committee.

?I?m very happy that the Philippines is becoming a new member of the Executive Committee. I think it strengthened the International Conference so it?s a very good signal and I?m happy to welcome the Philippine authority in the group,? she said.

The NPC became an ICDPPC member in October 2016 after passing membership requirements and demonstrating commitment to global standards in protecting personal data and privacy in the Philippines.

At the time, the NPC was only several months old, having been formed in March that same year. Since then, the NPC steadily advocated for the Philippines and the Asian regional voice to resonate in the global forum.

It has co-authored resolutions on: artificial intelligence, e-learning, conference census, and the future of the conference. It is also seating in the working group for cross-border privacy law enforcement. The Philippines has always been cited for its creative approaches and constructive stakeholder engagement.

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