If you’re looking to use personal data in your digital business in the future – wouldn’t it be useful to know what the regulator thinks?
Wouldn’t it be useful to know about Elizabeth Denham – the Information Commissioner, who regulates the use of personal data in the UK? Do you want to know more about her views on the digital agenda?
Here’s an extract from her speech at the Privacy Laws and Business conference in Cambridge.
“For me, the end game in the data protection field is always about increasing public trust and confidence in how their personal data is used.
This is fundamental. Innovation relies on consumer trust. The digital economy depends on the trust of consumers to engage with it. Trust in both privacy and Freedom of Information regulation is fundamental to democracy.
The way our personal information is handled has never been more important.
We have a digital infrastructure that was unimaginable when the current Data Protection Act was forged 20 years ago.
Technology is moving so fast.
You know I’ve learned a lot of new British-isms since coming here from Canada, including this quaint motto: An Englishman’s home is his castle.
That castle may be warm – thanks to your internet-connected thermostat. It may be restful – thanks to Alexa’s choice of soothing mood music. It may be efficient – thanks to your smart meter that keeps tabs on how much you’re spending on energy.
All this creates a digital trail. Almost everything we do – keeping in touch with friends through social media, online shopping, exercising, driving, watching television leaves a digital trail.
Then add in Big Data, AI and machine learning – these tools and technologies are all gathering momentum.
It’s my job to make sure that people’s fundamental privacy rights are not sacrificed in the name of innovation.
And we are on it.
Some of our most high profile cases – those that define my office and how we see the law – involve services and businesses used by millions of people.
In May, I launched an investigation into how political campaigners use data analytics to target potential voters with bespoke adverts or information.
My office’s investigation is ongoing but this much is clear: these tools can have a significant impact on people’s privacy and it is important that there is greater and genuine transparency about the use of such techniques. We must ensure that people have control over their own data and that the law is upheld.
The Facebook/WhatsApp case allowed my office to shine a light on how the proposed sharing of data would really impact on users’ privacy. Our intervention – along with a number of other European data protection authorities – was quick and effective. As a result, Facebook felt compelled to pause data sharing until it could satisfy the concerns of the European data protection supervisors, of which I am one!
I will always stand up for the privacy rights of UK citizens. I listen to what they say. What they are worried about. Where they feel their trust is being eroded.
I’ll tell you what I don’t hear. I don’t hear people wondering about future adequacy arrangements or what our role will be with the future European Data Protection Board.
These are important issues that underpin the data protection framework, but they are not what concerns the person in the street. What I believe citizens are interested in is what protection is being given to their data. Who’s holding organisations to account on their behalf? Who’s on their side?”