39th Conference side event: The Public Voice: Emerging Privacy Issues, A Dialogue Between NGOs and DPAs

In the 21^st Century, the protection of data security and fundamental rights requires a global response. Technological developments ranging from biometric identification, to big data, to artificial intelligence offer nations and corporations an unprecedented capacity for pervasive surveillance of individuals. Data privacy and basic security interests are threatened by core systems’ vulnerability to cyberattack. Nation states and other malicious actors capitalize on new information flows to distort public opinion. The internet ecosystem is dominated by few major players. Yet, simultaneously, individuals are empowered to push back – to track their governments, make political statements, create economic opportunity, and forge personal connections. Data protection authorities are on the front line of developing safeguards and standards, shaping technological change, and creating norms to protect privacy in the modern age. This Public Voice side event will feature a productive dialogue between NGOs and DPAs on these and other emerging privacy issues, and aims to forge solutions to today’s challenges.