Participation of representatives of the NCPDP at the 33nd Spring Conference of the European Data Protection Authorities

In the period 14-16 May 2024, representatives of the National Centre for Personal Data Protection (NCPDP) participated in the 32nd Spring Conference of the European Data Protection Authorities in Batumi, Georgia.

This year Spring Conference was hosted by Personal Data Protection Service of Georgia and brought together Data Protection Authorities from across Europe to address issues of common interest, emerging trends and innovative developments in the field of privacy and personal data protection. At the same time, a key objective of the conference was to promote cooperation by encouraging collaboration between the different data protection bodies in Europe and the professionals working within them. In addition, the conference served as a unique European platform for the exchange of experience and good practices in the field of personal data protection.

This years’ conference tagline was: “ A person’s most valuable treasure is their identity.” These words belong to Ilia Chavchavadze, a Georgian publisher, writer, and poet who revitalized the sense of national identity in Georgia during the second half of the 19th century. 

During the working sessions, current topics in the field of data protection were presented, such as:

• the regulation of artificial intelligence and data protection legal frameworks at national, European, and global levels;

• the protection of children’s privacy and personal data;

• the impact of modern technological developments and artificial intelligence on the right to privacy;

• current challenges in protecting personal data related to an individual’s health;

• the role of data protection officers (DPOs) and privacy professionals, etc.

At the end of each conference day, two parallel side events were held: “Data Protection in Georgia — Challenges and Opportunities” and “Fundamental Rights Impact Assessment in Artificial Intelligence: From Legal Requirements to Implementation. The Catalan FRIA Model.”

The Spring Conference has been held since 1991 and plays a key role in facilitating discussions on emerging trends in privacy and data protection. The event promotes a constructive dialogue between European data protection authorities and practitioners in the field, creating a strong platform for addressing both challenges and opportunities in data protecion space. The conference is known as a major event for reviewing European standards in personal data protection and for sharing best practices across Europe.

In addition to the official conference sessions, the Personal Data Protection Service organized supplementary events and social activities for the guests, offering participants an opportunity to experience Georgia’s unique culture, history, and natural beauty.