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Data Protection in Practice

Giovanni Buttarelli

The new EU General Data Protection Regulation that was adopted earlier this year is a landmark in human rights law. Designed to grapple with the realities of global, ubiquitous data in the internet era, it should provide increased legal certainty for both individuals and organisations processing data and greater protection for the individual in general.

Big Brother, Big Data and Ethics

Giovanni Buttarelli

Privacy is dead they say.

But of course it isn’t. It is well and truly alive. Regardless of how much we share on social media, in reality we are still selective about what we do share. Even online, we find ways to secure, conceal or protect ourselves whether through ad blockers, security settings, the dark web or other ways. That is privacy.

GDPR requires DPOs: EU institutions leading by example

Wojciech Wiewiórowski

As you know, the General Data Protection Regulation was finally adopted two weeks ago after lengthy negotiations - a victory for the protection of fundamental rights in Europe. The Regulation requires public authorities - and, in some cases, private companies - to appoint a data protection officer, DPO. The DPO's job will be to watch over in an independent manner how data is stored, used and shared and to advise their organisation on data protection issues.

One giant leap for digital rights

Giovanni Buttarelli

So a bit of history was made yesterday. The adoption by the European Parliament of the General Data Protection Regulation, following the decision by the Council last week, is quite simply a landmark in human rights law. It is the biggest attempt so far by a legislator to grapple with the realities of global, ubiquitous data in the internet era.

The EU GDPR as a clarion call for a new global digital gold standard

Giovanni Buttarelli

The General Data Protection Regulation (or GDPR) is going to raise the bar for data protection laws around the world. Like other data protection authorities, we were closely involved in the policy discussions, though not in the negotiations. Political agreement was reached in December 2015, and the text is expected to become law before the summer.