(Dieser Artikel ist auch in deutscher Sprache verfügbar)
A new framework has been agreed by the 30 members of OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) regarding the co-operation in the enforcement of privacy laws, updating a 27 year old statement (OECD Guidelines on the Protection of Privacy and Transborder Flows of Personal Data).
The large volume of the data being exchanged across borders and the changes in the character of these exchanges having increased the risks to privacy for individuals have brought up the need for a better co-operation between authorities in charge with data protection.
The framework, included in the new OECD Recommendation on Cross-Border Co-operation in the Enforcement of Laws Protecting Privacy, developed by the OECD Committee for Information, Computer and Communications Policy (ICCP), through its Working Party on Information Security and Privacy (WPISP), shows the commitment of the governments to improve their national privacy legislation to allow co-operation and mutual assistance among each other for an efficient enforcement of privacy laws.
"A consensus has emerged on the need to promote closer co-operation among privacy law enforcement authorities to help them exchange information and carry out investigations with their foreign counterparts," says the recommendation which also reads: "Globalisation, the emergence of 'follow the sun' business models, the growth of the internet and falling communication costs dramatically increase the amount of personal information flowing across borders. This increase in transborder information flows benefits both organisations and individuals by lowering costs, increasing efficiency and improving customer convenience. At the same time, these personal information flows elevate concerns about privacy, and present new challenges with respect to protecting individuals' personal information."
OECD has developed two model forms to facilitate the co-operation: one to assist in the creation of a list of contact points in each country to co-ordinate requests for assistance and another one to be used by an authority in requesting assistance.
The recommendation will be introduced at regional events and at the 29th International Conference of Data Protection and Privacy Commissioners that will be hosted in September 2007 in Montreal by Commissioner Jennifer Stoddart Privacy Commissioner of Canada who also conducted the work on the development of the framework.
OECD Recommendation on Cross-border Co-operation in the Enforcement of Laws
Protecting Privacy - Press release
http://www.oecd.org/document/60/0,3343,en_2649_34223_38771516_1_1_1_1,...
OECD Recommendation on Cross-border Co-operation in the Enforcement of Laws
Protecting Privacy - full text
http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/43/28/38770483.pdf
Net growth prompts privacy update (30.06.2007)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6254650.stm
International effort on privacy protection is launched (26.06.2007)
http://www.out-law.com//default.aspx?page=8182