The event focused on balancing data's influence with the right to control personal information
The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (IPC) joined over 130 data protection and privacy authorities at the 46th Global Privacy Assembly (GPA), held from October 28 to November 1 in the Bailiwick of Jersey, Channel Islands.
This year’s event focused on the theme “The Power of Information,” emphasizing the need to balance the growing influence of data with the fundamental rights of individuals to control their personal information.
Ontario’s Information and Privacy Commissioner, Patricia Kosseim, led a panel discussion titled “Education from the Ground Up: The Societal Impact of Privacy Education.” The session brought together global privacy leaders, including Baroness Beeban Kidron of the UK House of Lords, Joyce Lai from Hong Kong’s Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, and experts from France and Canada, alongside representatives from the 5Rights Foundation. The discussion explored practical ways to educate young people about protecting their digital privacy rights and fostering responsible digital citizenship.
In addition to leading the panel, Commissioner Kosseim participated in a session on strategic priority setting, where she shared insights into the IPC’s strategic plan. She emphasized the importance of focusing organizational efforts on key areas to achieve a meaningful impact on privacy and access to information.
Throughout the assembly, delegates engaged in various discussions about privacy and data protection in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. Topics addressed during the open session included the risks associated with privacy in the modern world, the impact of technology on regulatory practices, and the role of data privacy during humanitarian crises. The assembly also examined issues related to reducing inequalities in privacy rights and enhancing accountability and transparency in data sharing between governments and third parties.
During the closed session, several resolutions were adopted, including measures to encourage certification mechanisms for data protection, promote trustworthy global data exchange, and establish principles for processing personal data in emerging fields such as neuroscience and neurotechnology. The discussions further highlighted the importance of international collaboration to strengthen regulatory frameworks and ensure the highest standards of privacy protection.
Lastly, the GPA also recognized individual contributions to the field of privacy. This year, the Giovanni Buttarelli Award was presented to Bruno Gencarelli, a prominent figure in European Union privacy initiatives.
