The Ministry of Justice called on Google and Intel Corporation to discuss personal data protection issues in Tartu
7.09.2017. On 7th-8th September, a high-level international conference will take place in Tartu, where specialists and the largest companies of the world will discuss what comes along with the EU data protection reform that will be put into practice in May 2018.
In spring 2016, the European Parliament approved new data protection rules that give people control of their personal data and create a unified data protection level throughout the EU. The new regulation is directly applicable, which means that it will also replace the current Personal Data Protection Act of the Republic of Estonia. The Regulation will apply after a transitional period of two years from 25 May 2018.
“Every year, hundreds of thousands of people are asking Google to delete their personal data, which means that the topics discussed at the conference personally concern a very big number of people. A discussion between a wide range of high-level experts on the implementation issues of EU data protection reform will give Member States the opportunity to find the best solutions before making final decisions,” noted Deputy Secretary General Kai Härmand.
For citizens, the reform means better control over their personal data and the possibility to require the deletion of their specific personal data, for example, from Google, the telephone operator, or mail order portal, if there is no legal basis for the processing of data. More stringent rules will be imposed on public institutions and companies involved in the extensive processing of data, the implementation of which may take both time and money.
Businesses and institutions that collect and use sensitive personal data and big databases must map the personal data, appoint a data protection professional, if necessary, make changes in the contracts, business models, internal documents, information systems, customer bases and sales. The maximum level of fines that may be imposed in case of violations will be increased. The requirements also apply to third-country operators who offer their goods or services on the EU market.
"This reform also determines clear rights and limitations on the transfer of data for the purposes of crime prevention, investigation and criminal prosecution, as well as the prevention of security threats. It creates opportunities for the quick and effective sharing of personal data between law enforcement authorities, while ensuring that no fundamental rights are violated," explained Deputy Secretary General Kai Härmand.
For example, Rita Balogh, Public Policy & Government Relations Manager in Google's Brussels office, Riccardo Masucci, Intel Corporation's Global Director of Privacy Policy, high representatives of the European Commission etc. will take part in the conference organised as part of the Estonian Presidency of the Council of the EU. The issues of high fines for data protection violations, the obligation to appoint a data protection professional, cross-border data transfer problems, and other will be covered at the conference.
A video transmission will be made at the conference, which can be observed at the University of Tartu Television from 7 September at 9.30 a.m. at www.uttv.ee
The agenda of the conference is available here: https://www.eu2017.ee/sites/default/files/2017-09/Data%20protection%20conference%20Final%20programme.pdf
Katrin Lunt
Head of Public Relations
Ministry of Justice
Phone no. 527 6806