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.

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.

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.