GPA Webinar – Contact Tracing and the Apple & Google solution: In conversation with the technical specialists
The Global Privacy Assembly’s COVID-19 Taskforce is hosting a webinar for the GPA membership on contact tracing and the Google-Apple technology on 6 July 2020 at 08:00 – 09:30 PST (16:00 – 17:30 UK Time).
In this first GPA webinar, technical experts from Apple and Google will present their contact tracing framework and discuss the implications of the technology with a group of data protection and privacy authorities. The panel will also discuss the development and functioning of the API technology and the steps taken to safeguard people’s privacy.
This webinar aims to help the GPAs members and observers whose countries are at the exploratory or decision-making stage of the process on the adoption or roll out of contact tracing applications.
GPA members and observers can sign-up to the webinar by contacting the GPA Secretariat at secretariat@globalprivacyassembly.org
Speakers
Raymund Enriquez Liboro, Privacy Commissioner and Chairman, Philippines National Privacy Commission, and Chair of the GPA COVID-19 Taskforce
Raymund was appointed the Philippines first Privacy Commissioner and Chairman at the Philippines National Privacy Commission (NPC) in March 2017. A seasoned ICT convergence, communications and public administration professional, he previously served as the former Assistant Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction and was concurrently the OIC director of the Science and Technology Information Institute, the country’s leading Science and Technology Institute.
Prior to joining government in 2010, he was involved in spearheading award-winning government IT and media platforms, most notable of which was the DOST’s Project Noah (Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards), cited by the United Nations Program Office on Governance (UNPOG) as one of the most advanced e-governance tools in disaster prevention.
Raymund is an alumnus of the University of the Philippines – School of Economics.
Raymund was elected to the GPA Executive Committee at the 40th annual conference in October 2018, and is Chair of the GPA COVID-19 Taskforce.
Ali Shah, Head of Technology Policy, Information Commissioner’s Office, UK
Ali Shah is Head of Technology Policy at the ICO, and responsible for ensuring the ICO can respond to complex societal challenges presented by emerging technology developments. Since joining the ICO, he has provided technology leadership on AI and data science, adtech, and privacy by design initiatives. Most recently during COVID-19, Ali has led the ICO technical response to contact tracing, evaluation of the Google and Apple Exposure Notification system, and assessment of future challenges to privacy through his leadership of Operation Foresight. Prior to joining the ICO, Ali was Head of Emerging Technology and Strategic Direction at the BBC where he combined his expertise in AI, data, and emerging technology, with a passion for understanding how technology can be used for innovation to drive social good.
Erik Neuenschwander, Director of User Privacy, Apple
Erik is in charge of privacy engineering efforts across Apple’s products and services. The User Privacy team focuses on privacy by default, including data minimization, technical limits on data use, application of data protection, on-device processing, and privacy-preserving technologies. His organization also supports Apple’s outreach to governments, regulators, and civil society.
Erik has over seventeen years of experience in software technology including roles at Casio, Microsoft, and Apple. He holds a B.S. in Symbolic Systems and an M.A. in Philosophy from Stanford University and was a Teaching Fellow in Stanford’s Computer Science department.
Gary Davis, Global Director of Privacy & Law Enforcement Requests, Apple
Gary joined Apple in February 2013, where as part of the global team he heads up the EMEIA group and helps lead Apple’s world-wide approach to privacy across all product and services. Previously he served as Ireland’s Deputy Data Protection Commissioner for seven years and as a civil servant worked in the Irish Prime Minister’s Office for ten years.
Dave Burke, VP of Engineering Android Platform & Pixel Software, Google
Dave Burke is Vice President of Engineering at Google where he leads engineering for the Android platform. Dave joined Google UK in 2007, becoming an engineering site lead and later moving to California in 2011. Prior to Google, Dave co-founded and was CTO of an internet/telecoms voice start-up and helped define related Web and Internet standards. Dave holds a BE, MEngSc, and PhD in Electronic Engineering from University College Dublin, Ireland.
William Malcolm, Director, Privacy Legal, Google
William leads Google’s international privacy legal function, managing a team across London, Hamburg, Paris, Dublin, and Singapore. During his time at Google, William has worked on multiple CJEU data protection cases and regulatory matters and has represented Google with global policy makers. William has helped Google product and compliance teams formulate internal policies and compliance plans on a wide range of issues including GDPR, right to be forgotten, AI/ML, cloud privacy and international data transfers and is a frequent speaker/panellist at conferences and industry events on data protection and privacy issues.
Zee Kin Yeong, Assistant Chief Executive (Data Innovation and Protection Group) of the Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore (IMDA) and Deputy Commissioner of the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC)
In his capacity as Assistant Chief Executive (Data Innovation and Protection Group), Zee Kin oversees IMDA’s Artificial Intelligence and Data Industry development strategy. This is one of four frontier technology areas IMDA has identified for its transformational potential for a Digital Economy. The other three are cybersecurity, the Internet of Things, and immersive media. In his role as an AI and data analytics champion, Zee Kin’s work includes developing forward-thinking governance on AI and data, driving a pipeline of AI talent, promoting industry adoption of AI and data analytics, as well as building specific AI and data science capabilities in Singapore.
As the Deputy Commissioner of PDPC, Zee Kin oversees the administering and enforcement of the Personal Data Protection Act (2012). His key responsibilities include managing the formulation and implementation of policies relating to the protection of personal data, as well as the issuing of enforcement directions for organizational actions. He also spearheads the public and sector-specific educational and outreach activities, to raise both awareness and compliance in organizations and individuals in personal data protection
Dr. iur. Daniel Dzamko-Locher, Head of the Data Protection Unit and Taskforce on the Corona app, Federal Data Protection and Information Commission, Switzerland
Daniel is a lawyer and has been Head of Data Protection since 1st February 2019. During these last months, he headed the FDPIC’s Corona taskforce. Before joining the FDPIC, he was Head of Legal at the Tax Administration of the Canton of Berne. He was a lecturer at the Universities of Lucerne and Basel in the field of tax law and a member of the Bar Examination Commission of the Canton of Berne.
GPA Chair to speak at the International Committee of the Red Cross event
Elizabeth Denham, Chair of the Global Privacy Assembly and UK Information Commissioner, will speaking at the Data Protection in the Time of COVID-19 online event hosted by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on 3 June 2020.
For the release of the ICRC’s second edition of the Data Protection Handbook for Humanitarian Action, the ICRC has convened a panel of experts to discuss how, in today’s technological landscape, data protection is a more essential concern than ever. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact societies worldwide, contact tracing apps are being developed in a bid to contain the spread of the virus. While arguably effective in this sense, such technologies also pose important questions regarding the relationship between public health, data protection and privacy.
The event brings together specialists from the humanitarian, new tech, academic, legal, data protection and health sectors. The objective is to look at the dilemmas that an increasing digitalization of the COVID-19 crisis can bring, and at what measures can be taken to ensure that technology is a relevant contributor to the fight against the pandemic, not an additional risk factor.
For more information, visit the ICRC’s website.
Global Privacy Assembly launches COVID-19 taskforce
As countries begin to ease their coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions, data protection and privacy authorities across the world are faced with a fundamental question: how can we enable governments’ responses to the pandemic and subsequent
Recognising this challenge, the Global Privacy Assembly (GPA) has launched a COVID-19 Taskforce to drive practical responses to privacy issues emerging from the pandemic, as well to assist its membership with insight and best practices.
Raymund Liboro, Privacy Commissioner of the Philippines National Privacy Commission and GPA’s Executive Committee member, will chair the GPA COVID-19 Taskforce.
Mr Liboro said: “We have seen that personal data and technology have become essential in helping governments respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. From contact tracing and location tracking applications, to COVID-19 testing as people start going back to the workplace, data protection and privacy have never been more important.
“Our aim for this taskforce is to examine current privacy
The GPA COVID-19 Taskforce,
During its first meeting, the Taskforce discussed the most strategic and pressing privacy issues that will require in-depth examination over the next few months. Members agreed on an initial workplan, with a view to communicate regularly on progress and information on
For more information and resources on data protection and COVID-19 visit globalprivacyassembly.
Achieving privacy by design in contact tracing measures
A statement by the Global Privacy Assembly’s Executive Committee.
Background
Data protection and privacy authorities around the world are working together with public bodies and commercial organisations to respond to and manage the global COVID-19 pandemic. Our March 17, 2020 statement observed that GPA member authorities operate under data protection and privacy laws that enable the use of data to protect public health, while also protecting the public’s personal data in a way that the public expects.
GPA authorities are working to assist public bodies and organisations to understand what good practice looks like in a pandemic. We are therefore encouraged to hear that many member authorities have, since our March statement, been engaged by organisations and public bodies in a common effort to overcome COVID-19. This acknowledges the need to work constructively to ensure privacy is protected as we seek solutions to this public health crisis.
COVID-19 contact tracing and public trust
Many authorities are at this time advising, reviewing and consulting on contact tracing measures. The issues being considered around the world are similar and revolve around universal data protection and privacy principles.
Contact tracing has historically been a vital pandemic response tool. Many governments around the world wish to harness technology to automate traditional contact tracing methods, which may be labour-intensive. Smart phone contact tracing apps are therefore being designed and rolled out globally.
We are issuing this statement about contact tracing measures being implemented around the globe because we recognise that public trust and confidence in the way personal information is handled and protected is a necessary precondition for their success. Whilst the public interest case is strong, protecting privacy and acting in accordance with public expectations is part of achieving the solution.
The success of contact tracing apps will depend on the trust of individual members of the public that their privacy will be protected appropriately and wider ethical considerations have been addressed. Uptake may be higher if governments and organisations transparently demonstrate that privacy risks have been adequately addressed. Authorities are playing their part in achieving fit-for purpose privacy protections, and wherever possible are prioritising consultation requests about COVID-related measures.
Privacy considerations in contact tracing design, implementation and operation
The value of privacy by design lies in ensuring privacy is carefully considered when developing new technologies in the interests of protecting public health. The data and privacy protection work of GPA authorities not stand in the way of innovation, rather privacy by design is a key enabler for both ethical and lawful innovation and the protection of personal data.
Privacy and data protection impact assessments (DPIAs) help ensure public bodies and organisations take a privacy by design approach by documenting in advance what their intended use of data is and how this can inform limitation in data collection, identifying the risks that their use of data could create, and developing strategies to mitigate those risks to inform the design. In conducting this impact assessment, organisations may need to consult and engage with their intended user base and with regulators. DPIAs should also be clear about other possible current and future uses of the data, such as for research in the public interest. A DPIA can also be iterative, updated as needed, and provide opportunities for further engagement and public debate when it is made available for wider scrutiny.
In the current circumstances of the pandemic, measures are being developed as a direct response to these extraordinary circumstances. Time limitation is therefore also critical in establishing public trust in these responsive measures.
The following questions are addressed to organisations and governments engaged in contact tracing measures and can inform the development of contact tracing apps to ensure personal information is protected and the impact on privacy is minimised:
- Have you adopted a privacy by design approach?
- Have you conducted an assessment of the privacy risks? Is this assessment up to date?
- Have you addressed the security, safeguards, and necessity of both centralised and decentralised models?
- Have you had open and constructive engagement with your data protection authority?
- Are you being transparent with users, including providing a clear privacy statement or notice where required by law?
- Are you being transparent in a way that facilitates public debate?
- Is your contact tracing app temporary and will data be deleted when no longer required?
- Do you intend to retain data for research in the public interest? If so, what privacy protections have been adopted and is anonymisation envisaged at design stage?
- Do you have a process in place to revisit privacy implications if features are proposed to change?
Looking ahead to other COVID-19 measures and privacy
Some governments around the world are contemplating other pandemic responses involving personal information such as immunity passports, temperature checks and customer identification requirements. The principles set out in this statement also apply to these and other measures that may be considered, and further clarifying statements on those measures will be issued as required. The GPA will continue to listen to concerns from its member authorities to ensure our efforts address the most pressing issues being brought to the attention of GPA authorities by those working on COVID-19 measures.
– GPA Executive Committee
For more information and resources visit the GPA COVID-19 Response Repository.
Statement on the postponement of GPA Mexico 2020
The Executive Committee of the Global Privacy Assembly (GPA) recognises the significant impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on our lives and in our membership’s jurisdictions in the past few weeks.
We would like to thank our membership for contributing positively in this extraordinary time by supporting Authorities with their expertise and guidance, which can be found on our website.
Building on our collective efforts, the Executive Committee met earlier this week to discuss the ongoing work of the GPA, including this year’s conference.
After careful consideration of the unprecedented global circumstances we are experiencing in 2020, the Executive Committee has accepted the INAI Mexico’s decision to postpone this year’s conference in Mexico. This means the GPA’s annual conference will be held in Mexico in 2021.
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of New Zealand has also agreed to postpone its planned hosting of the GPA until 2022. This means the host bid process for 2022 will be suspended. As for the 2023 conference, we will be launching the host bid process in due course.
But 2020 must not be a lost year for the GPA. We should continue shaping the future of our Assembly, working on our Policy Strategy objectives and learning from the fantastic work already completed by our Working Groups. In that respect, both our annual forum and our continued work throughout the year have never been more important.
That’s why we have tasked the GPA Secretariat to explore options on how to carry out the essential elements of our annual conference this year, including finding a suitable, secure digital platform where members and observers will be able to meet virtually. More information will be available in due couse.
We are disappointed that we won’t see you in Mexico this year, but we must make the health and wellbeing of our membership a priority.
– GPA Executive Committee
Statement by the GPA Executive Committee on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
The Executive Committee of the Global Privacy Assembly (GPA) recognises the unprecedented challenges being faced to address the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Addressing these challenges requires coordinated responses at national and global levels, including the sharing of personal information as necessary by organisations and governments, as well as across borders.
We are confident that data protection requirements will not stop the critical sharing of information to support efforts to tackle this global pandemic. The universal data protection principles in all our laws will enable the use of data in the public interest and still provide the protections the public expects. Data protection authorities stand ready to help facilitate swift and safe data sharing to fight COVID-19.
Health data is considered sensitive across many jurisdictions, but work between data protection authorities and governments means we have already seen many examples of national approaches to sharing public health messages; of using the latest technology to facilitate safe and speedy consultations and diagnoses; and of creating linkages between public data systems to facilitate identification of the spread of the virus.
We issue this statement today to set out our support for public bodies and health practitioners to be able to communicate directly with people, and scientific and government bodies to coordinate nationally and globally, to tackle the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Our data protection and COVID-19 resources page provides the latest guidance and information from GPA members.
– GPA Executive Committee
Elizabeth Denham CBE, GPA Chair and UK Information Commissioner
Marguerite Ouédraogo Bonané, President of CIL, Burkina Faso
Angelene Falk, Information Commissioner and Privacy Commissioner, Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
Raymund Enriquez Liboro, Privacy Commissioner and Chairman, Philippines National Privacy Commission
Eduardo Bertoni, Director of the National Access to Public Information Agency, Argentina
Besnik Dervishi, Information and Data Protection Commissioner, IDP Albania
Francisco Javier Acuña Llamas, President Commissioner, National Institute for Transparency, Access to Information and Protection of Personal Data (INAI), Mexico
John Edwards, Privacy Commissioner, Office of the Privacy Commissioner, New Zealand
Update from the Working Group on Data Protection Metrics
The Global Privacy Assembly (GPA) membership is organised into Working Groups that concentrate on the most significant GPA initiatives identified by the membership, deriving their mandate and direction from the annual conference, typically leading from Resolutions. Learn more about the GPA Working Groups.
In this video, Privacy Commissioner John Edwards (Office of the Privacy Commissioner, New Zealand) gives an update on the GPA Working Group on Data Protection Metrics.
GPA marks International Data Protection Day 2020
Happy International Data Protection Day from the Global Privacy Assembly!
Elizabeth Denham CBE, Chair of GPA and UK Information Commissioner, is speaking by video today at the International Data Protection Day 2020 event hosted by the National Institute of Transparency, Access to Information and Protection of Personal Data (INAI) in Mexico City.
In her speech, Ms Denham says that the data protection world has perhaps never been a more challenging one. But that our international partnerships can bring solutions, with the GPA moving towards stronger regulatory co-operation, paving the way not only to sharing best practice but potentially sharing lines of enquiry – view the GPA Strategic Plan 2019-2021.
Ms Denham also says that one of the emerging areas of data protection right now is considering the human values that underpin privacy. And it’s welcome that our GPA conference in Mexico City later this year will take this emphasis on human values as a starting point for its theme, of ‘Privacy and Data Protection: A human-centric approach’.
You can read more about the GPA 2020 in Mexico City in our latest newsletter.
Application process for new members and observers now open
The Global Privacy Assembly (GPA) has re-opened the application process to welcome new members and observers into its community.
Established in 1979, the GPA community has continued to grow ever since, currently comprising more than 100 member authorities across the globe.
Each year, the GPA welcomes new applications for data protection authorities wishing to join as members, as well as for other public entities and international organisations having an interest to become GPA observers.
If you wish to become a Member, please complete the online application form. Membership applications will close on 10 July 2020, although prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their application as early as possible to allow the Executive Committee to carefully examine the evidence submitted.
If you wish to join the GPA community as an Observer, please complete the relevant application form. Applications for observer status will close on 9 August 2020, although prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their application at an early stage.
For any questions related to the GPA Accreditation process for membership and observer status please get in touch with the GPA Secretariat at secretariat@globalprivacyassembly.org
Conference launches new name and logo
Today the International Conference of Data Protection and Privacy Commissioners has launched a new logo and a new name: Global Privacy Assembly (GPA).
Building on our 40-year history, the new logo and name represent the evolution of the conference and the current work to modernise it, including a new policy strategy which sets out a clear vision for the organisation.
Elizabeth Denham, GPA Chair and UK Information Commissioner, said: “Our new name feels hugely significant. Data protection and privacy is now too great an issue for this community to only have a role once a year. That’s why we took a step forward at last month’s conference in Tirana, when we agreed a set of strategic priorities that strengthen the group’s position as an effective and influential international forum. The new name reflects a group that supports one another year round, sharing knowledge and building stronger cooperation.”
Our colleagues from the Instituto Nacional de Transparencia, Acceso a la Información y Protección de Datos Personales (INAI), México undertook the challenge to design options for our new logo and name, with the membership having the final say by voting for their preferred option. INAI is also hosting the next Global Privacy Assembly conference in Mexico City in October 2020.
Francisco Javier Acuña Llamas, President Commissioner of the Instituto Nacional de Transparencia, Acceso a la Información y Protección de Datos Personales (INAI), México, said: “Thanks to the collaboration of our colleagues, we created a logo which represents the organisation’s main attributes: international cooperation, knowledge sharing, independence and leadership.
“These four concepts emerged from a consultation with the membership, and they were used as guiding concepts for the design of the logo and were translated into organic and iconic forms, in complementary and harmonious colours.
“The implementation of elements that point towards progress, such as the arrow, indicates the leadership of the representatives of each country, and the circular forms aspires to reflect the exchange of knowledge and the capacity for cooperation among the international authorities involved.
“For the name of the Conference, it was sought to recall, in an easy and short way, the nature of the Conference itself, but not with less strength. And with the intention of expressing modernity and balance together with the other elements of the logo, Global Privacy Assembly (GPA) was created.”
Over the next few weeks, the Assembly’s visual identity will start to align around its new direction. You’ll see changes on the website, social media and on stationery. It’s an evolution of our 40-year-old history. It’s a Global Privacy Assembly of data protection and privacy commissioners.