PDPS to host EU Conference of Data Protection Authorities

Georgia: The Personal Data Protection Service, a rising player in the field, will proudly host the prestigious European Conference of Data Protection Authorities.

On May 13-16, at the 32nd European Conference of Data Protection Supervisory Bodies in Riga, the head of the service – Lela Janashvili, presented the Personal Data Protection Service as the host of the next European conference. The service will host the European conference in Batumi next year.

“It is a great honor for the Georgian Personal Data Protection Supervisory Authority to host one of the most important events in the field of personal data protection across Europe.” The European Conference provides a discussion platform that promotes the sharing of practical experience of European personal data protection authorities, discussing and discussing current trends in personal data protection. We are so glad that European conference participants have created a pleasant working environment and hosted you in one of the most beautiful cities of the Black Sea region – Batumi.” ― Lela Janashvili said.

At the 32nd European Conference of Data Protection Supervisory Bodies, the Personal Data Protection Service (PDPS) was represented as an accredited member of the conference, as well as the First Deputy Head of the Service ― Otar Chakhunashvili and Head of the International Relations, Analytics and Strategic Development Department ― Ana Tokhadze.

The thematic panels of this year’s conference discussed the practice of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and the European Court of Justice (CJEU), as well as relevant issues such as:

• The role of the personal data protection supervisory body in shaping legislation in the digital sphere.
• Privacy and personal data protection are influenced by technology and innovation.
• Protection of health-related data In the era of the digital environment and more.

On one of the panels of the closed session of the conference, which will address the experience of cooperation of data protection supervisors, Lela Janashvili presented a report on the topic: “Challenges of the Implementation Personal Data Protection Rules on the DP” A Level”). The report will address the new legislation on personal data protection, the experience of international cooperation of the Georgian Personal Data Protection Supervisory Authority, and current trends.

Lela Janashvili said, “In the fast-developing digital era, personal data protection authorities are institutionally developing and deepening international cooperation, which is very important for us nowadays, first and foremost, given that Georgia has been granted EU candidate status.” 

“Notably, a new era of personal data protection has begun in our country. The new law sets out internationally recognized standards for personal data protection, which is of utmost importance for harmonizing Georgia as a country in integrating European legal culture with European legislation. Georgian Personal Data Protection Service (PDPS) actively cooperates and participates in relevant international interactive platforms, conferences, and working groups, which helps us better learn modern trends in personal data protection law to improve our strategic policies to protect European values. “― Lela Janashvili noted. 

At the end of the panel, thematic issues were discussed.

According to the decision taken based on the concession of the European Conference of Data Protection Supervisory Bodies Working Group (“Steering Group”) members, Georgia’s personal data protection service has been coordinating the working group since 2023 and representing its chairman agency. 

Within the framework of the last panel of the conference, Ana Tokhadze, the representative of the working group chairperson, presented the annual report. The report summarized the activities the conference working group implemented during the year, thematic discussions, and plans for future activities.