2
Feb
2021
Orientations on manual contact tracing by EU Institutions in the context of the COVID-19 crisis
EDPS publishes orientations on manual contact tracing by EU Institutions in the context of the COVID-19 crisis.
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COVID-19
EDPS response to the COVID-19 outbreak
'The outbreak of Covid-19 is affecting our lives at an unprecedented pace. It is testing the resilience of our societies as we respond to this global crisis and try to contain its consequences, both in the short and in the long run'.
Wojciech Wiewiórowski, European Data Protection Supervisor
Covid-19 outbreak is also testing fundamental rights to data protection and privacy. EU Member States, EU institutions and Big Tech companies are trying to explore solutions to tackle the uncontrolled spread of the virus.
In the past weeks, contact tracing apps and data localisation have become a constant topic in the political agenda of the Union. Such technologies may have strong consequences on EU citizens’ lives and lead to growing inequalities.
The EDPS is cooperating with the EU institutions and the European Data Protection Board to ensure fundamental rights to be respected.
As a result, we established a Covid-19 task force to follow developments and to prepare for the future of data protection and privacy after Covid-19 crisis.
EDPS activities and action plan
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the EDPS has decided to activate its Business Continuity Plan. All EDPS staff have been teleworking as of 13 March 2020.
Read more below
External sources
- EDPB Response to Ms Scarafia's letter regarding Amazon and COVID-19 (19/05/2020)
- EDPB Statement on the processing of personal data in the context of reopening of borders following the COVID-19 outbreak (16/06/2020)
- EDPB Statement on the data protection impact of the interoperability of contact tracing apps (16/06/2020)
- EDPB Statement on restrictions on data subject rights in connection to the state of emergency in Member States (02/06/2020)
- EDPB Response to the MEP Sophie in't Veld's letter on the use of apps in fight against coronavirus (24/04/2020)
- EDPB response to Mrs Ďuriš Nicholsonová and Mr Jurzyca's letter on common guidance in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemics (24/04/2020)
- EDPB Guidelines on processing of health data for research purposes and on geolocalisation and tracing tools (22/04/2020)
- EDPB Guidelines on the use of location data and contact tracing tools in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak (21/04/2020)
- EDPB Letter concerning the European Commission's draft Guidance on apps supporting the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic (14/04/2020)
- Global Privacy Assembly resources COVID-19
- Digital Solutions to Fight COVID-19 (2020 Data Protection Report), Council of Europe
- EDPS Opinion on additional specific health and safety rules for the Commission site Of Ispra
Blogpost: Data for the public good: Building a healthier digital future
EDPS Formal Comments on the proposed European Health Union package
Blogpost: Carrying the torch in times of darkness
Blogpost: The moment you realise the world has changed: re-thinking the EDPS Strategy
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11
Nov
2020
'Digital Health 2020 - EU on the Move' - Wojciech Wiewiórowski
Speech by Wojciech Wiewiórowski delivered at the 'Digital Health 2020 - EU on the Move' Panel, as part of an event organised by the German Presidency of the Council of the European Union (via video link), Brussels, Belgium
22
Oct
2020
ENISA Annual Privacy Forum - Wojciech Wiewiórowski
Keynote speech by Wojciech Wiewiórowski delivered at the ENISA Annual Privacy Forum (via videolink), Brussels, Belgium
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15
Oct
2020
Global Privacy Assembly Closed Session 2020 - At your desk
Global Privacy Assembly Closed Session 2020 - At your desk
When: 13-15 October 2020
Where: Online session
The newly renamed Global Privacy Assembly (formerly known as International Conference of Data Protection and Privacy Commissioners - ICDPPC) took place this year 2020 during the period from October the 13th to October the 15th. This year's event wasn't immune to the COVID-19 pandemic currently occurring. Consequently the place of the event, which initially was planned to be held in Mexico City, had to be changed to a virtual setting, making it the first time that such an occasion was organized online.
Following you can find the resolutions adopted during this year's GPA:
Resolution on Facial Recognition Technology
Available languages: English
Resolution on the Role of Personal Data Protection in International Development Aid, International Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management
Available languages: English
Resolution on Accountability in the Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence
Available languages: English
Resolution on the Privacy and Data Protection Challenges arising from the COVID-19 Pandemic
Available languages: English
Resolution on Joint Statements on Emerging Issues
Available languages: English
1
Sep
2020
Orientations from the EDPS: Body temperature checks by EU institutions in the context of the COVID-19 crisis
A number of European institutions, agencies and bodies (EUIs) have implemented body temperature checks as part of the health and safety measures adopted in the context of their “return to the office” strategy as an appropriate complementary measure, among other necessary health and safety measures, to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 contamination.
At the same time, systematic body temperature checks of staff and other visitors to filter access to EUIs premises may constitute an interference into individuals’ rights to private life and/or personal data protection. The EDPS observes that body temperature checks can be implemented through a variety of devices and processes that should be subject to careful assessment. The EDPS has decided to issue the present orientations to help EUIs and Data Protection Officers (DPOs) meet the requirements of Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 (the Regulation), where applicable.
Available languages: German, English, French