Participation of NCPDP representatives in the study visit to the Latvian State Data Inspectorate

On 30 – 31 October 2024, the representatives of the National Center for Personal Data Protection (NCPDP) participated in a study visit to the Latvian Data State Inspectorate (Inspectorate), an event organized within the project entitled “Strengthening personal data protection in the Republic of Moldova Phase I”.

The purpose of the study visit was to learn the best legal and operational practices from the representatives of the NCPDP on the certification of Data Protection Officers (DPOs), Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA), as well as to strengthen data protection mechanisms by aligning them with European standards and practices.

During the event, the Director of the Inspectorate, Jekaterina Macuka, presented the main tasks/activities of the institution, its role in promoting the field of personal data protection in Latvia, highlighting the challenges and opportunities in the field of personal data protection of both countries, as well as the continued cooperation and exchange of best practices.

During the two days, topics of importance were addressed, such as:

• Data Protection Officer certification: the purpose of DPO certification, who issues DPO certifications, who can apply to receive a DPO certification, what is the feedback from different stakeholders on these DPO certifications, etc.

• Presentation of the DPO certification scheme: conception, development and introduction of DPO certification: experiences, failures, successes and lessons learned;

• Privacy Impact Assessment in Latvia: how a DPIA is conducted, who is obliged to conduct a DPIA, the necessity of conducting a DPIA, training of other persons such as employees of public authorities on issues related to the privacy of personal data, etc.

The study visit was organized with the support of the Council of Europe Data Protection Unit and the Latvian State Data Inspectorate.