The Global Privacy Assembly’s (GPA) Chair and Executive Committee are delighted to announce Shoshana Zuboff as the first winner of the Giovanni Buttarelli Award.
Dr. Zuboff, Professor Emerita at Harvard Business School and author of The Age of Surveillance Capitalism, has been recognised for her exceptional contribution to international data protection and privacy.
Elizabeth Denham, outgoing GPA Chair and UK Information Commissioner, said: “Shoshana’s work as an academic and an author has revolutionised the way we look at data and data protection. The Executive Committee and I could not have been more excited about this choice. Many congratulations!”
The inaugural GPA Giovanni Buttarelli Award was presented at the Open Session of the 43rd Global Privacy Assembly Conference on 19 October 2021.
The Award was created by the GPA Executive Committee in 2021 in memory of Giovanni Buttarelli, former European Data Protection Supervisor and Executive Committee Member. It aims to recognise Giovanni’s invaluable contribution to the international data protection and privacy community as a leader and as a passionate advocate for international collaboration.
Ms. Denham said: “Giovanni was an inspiring leading figure in the GPA community. He understood that the only way to face today’s challenges was by working together. Most important of all, Giovanni had a vision to ensure a fairer digital future for all. This Award will help to carry on his legacy in the years to come.”
Mr. Wojciech Wiewiórowski, European Data Protection Supervisor, said: “Professor Zuboff’s ideas and forward-looking vision have captured the general public attention on how digital market dynamics are deeply affecting societies, freedoms, and rights. Her ideas have inspired a wider change on how the privacy-specialised community approach these topics.”
Dr. Zuboff said: “I shall not rest until the digital lives in democracy’s house… a world in which we all benefit from new knowledge, where data collection is tethered to fundamental rights, and data use is defined by public service and democratic flourishing. This is the future that the world yearns for and deserves.”
Watch the Award acceptance video below.
The GPA Executive Committee would also like to sincerely thank the Buttarelli family for their support and for endorsing this Award.
For more information on the GPA Giovanni Buttarelli Award visit: https://globalprivacyassembly.org/news-events/giovannibuttarelliaward