BUTTARELLI Giovanni a

Personal data – more use, more protection? TOWARDS A CHARTER ON DIGITAL DATA PROTECTION AND FREEDOM OF INFORMATION? Giovanni Buttarelli

Data Protection Conference 19-20 May 2009, Brussels

• Looking with favour towards a Charter on new data protection rights and on freedom of information in the digital world ? • Which path, instruments and fora for the debate ? Data Protection Conference 19-20 May 2009, Brussels

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Several European legal instruments already applicable

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A complex enforcement in the day-to-day life

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The Digital Tsunami: bridge gaps between principles and reality Data Protection Conference 19-20 May 2009, Brussels

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What could the added value of a new International Charter be?

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Hard or soft law, self regulation, codes of ethics, netiquette or a universal legally binding instrument ?

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A complementary role

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Neither substituting nor modifying already recognized principles.

Data Protection Conference 19-20 May 2009, Brussels

The 2000 Conference of Privacy Commissioners entitled "One World, One Privacy” adopted the Venice Charter The 2008 Strasbourg International Conference of Privacy Commissioners: Resolution on the urgent need for protecting privacy in a borderless world, and for reaching a Joint Proposal for setting International Standards on Privacy and Personal Data Protection Data Protection Conference 19-20 May 2009, Brussels

• Council of Europe European Dialogue on Internet Governance (EuroDIG) 20-21 October 2008 Strasbourg

• European Parliament Resolution 26 March 2009 Strengthening security and fundamental freedoms on the Internet

• European Commission Report 29 April 2009 Report on the practical operation of the methodology for a systematic and rigorous monitoring of compliance with the Charter of Fundamental Rights Data Protection Conference 19-20 May 2009, Brussels

• The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Geneva, 10 to 12 December 2003 Tunis, 16 to 18 November 2005

• Resolution 2006/46 on the Follow-up to the World Summit on the Information Society and review of the Commission on Science and Technology for Development • From the Tunis Agenda for the Information Society: "The international management of the Internet should be multilateral, transparent and democratic, with the full involvement of governments, the private sector, civil society and international organizations" (Paragraph 29)

Data Protection Conference 19-20 May 2009, Brussels

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“We recognize that Internet governance, carried out according to the Geneva principles, is an essential element for a people-centred, inclusive, development-oriented and non-discriminatory Information Society " (Paragraph 31)

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Internet Governance Forum (www.intgovforum.org) The fourth annual IGF Meeting (15-18 November 2009, Sharm El Sheikh) Multi-stakeholder Advisory Group renewed to prepare Internet Governance Forum meeting in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, 15-18 November 2009

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The Internet Rights and Principles Dynamic Coalition http://internetrightsandprinciples.org/

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Internet Governance Caucus (http://www.igcaucus.org/node/5)

Data Protection Conference 19-20 May 2009, Brussels

In conclusion: • Global level dialogue necessary for added value • Common ethic values respecting, when necessary, some specificities • Any new common principle should not result into diminishing the guarantees already in place • Proactive data protection is necessary using clear language and solutions to increase citizens’ awareness • A series of statements built around the persons and their dignity

Data Protection Conference 19-20 May 2009, Brussels

Thank you for your attention

Data Protection Conference 19-20 May 2009, Brussels