January 28 – European Data Protection Day

       Annually, on January 28, the european community celebrates European Data Protection Day, an important milestone for promoting the fundamental right to privacy and the protection of personal data. The year 2026 marks the 20th edition of this day and 45 years since the adoption of Convention No. 108 for the Protection of Individuals with regard to Automatic Processing of Personal Data, signed in Strasbourg on January 28, 1981.

       The purpose of Convention No. 108 is to guarantee, in the territory of each State Party, to every natural person, regardless of nationality or residence, respect for fundamental rights and freedoms, in particular the right to privacy with regard to the processing of personal data.Through its modernization, Convention 108+ remains an essential legal instrument, adapted to the challenges generated by technological developments and digital transformation.

       European Data Protection Day is a very special day not only for the member states of the Council of Europe, but also for the entire global data protection community and, above all, for every individual whose rights are protected by this fundamental regulatory framework.

       In this context, the member states of the Council of Europe, as well as other partner states and institutions, annually organize public activities and events dedicated to raising society’s awareness of the importance of the field of personal data protection. The National Center for Personal Data Protection (NCPDP) marks this day alongside european institutions by promoting accountability and best practices in prevention, intervention and support.

       In recent years, the Republic of Moldova has made significant progress towards achieving the national objective of ensuring an adequate level of data protection, in accordance with European Union and Council of Europe standards. These efforts directly aim to guarantee the fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals, in particular the right to privacy in the context of the processing of personal data.

       A key moment in this journey is the publication, on August 23, 2024, in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Moldova, of Law No. 195/2024 on the protection of personal data, a normative act that transposes the provisions of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 – General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Law No. 195/2024 is set to enter into force in August 2026, marking the transition to a modern, coherent and harmonized legal framework with european requirements.

       In the context of celebrating European Data Protection Day, NCPDP reaffirms its commitment to supporting both the public and private sectors in the preparation process for the application of the new legal provisions. Information, training and institutional dialogue activities remain priorities to ensure efficient and responsible implementation of the new regulatory framework.

       At the same time, strengthening inter-institutional collaboration at the national level constitutes a strategic direction of action, in order to amplify efforts to raise awareness among society regarding the importance of personal data protection and the correct and uniform application of legislation in the field by all actors involved in data processing.

       The role of the NCPDP, as a national supervisory authority, is becoming increasingly important in the context of accelerated digital transformation. The annual marking of European Data Protection Day represents a relevant opportunity to bring to the public’s attention the importance of respecting data protection principles, the right to privacy and the right to the protection of personal data, as fundamental elements of a democratic and resilient society.