PDPS celebrates International Day of Personal Data Protection

Georgia: January 28 is the International Day of Personal Data Protection. The Personal Data Protection Service (PDPS) held an event to celebrate this day. 

It is worth noting that from March 1, 2024, the new law on “Protection of Personal Data” will come into force, introducing a new standard for protecting personal information. Therefore, this year is significant for the supervisory body. The central part of the January 28 event was also dedicated to the new law.

The head of the Personal Data Protection Service opened the event. Lela Janashvili opened the process of implementation of the new law. She provided information to the public about the activities the service has implemented since the Parliament passed the law, which will continue actively. 

The head of the Personal Data Protection Service also reviewed the past year’s achievements in terms of international cooperation. In this point of view, it is essential that in 2023, Georgia gained the status of observer of the European Data Protection Council (EDPB).

During her speech, Lela Janashvili announced a new training course for people interested in data processing starting on January 31, 2024. Each course lasts two days, and participants will receive both theoretical and practical information about new personal data protection legislation, civil rights, and other important issues.

The Public Defender of Georgia – Levan Ioseliani Chairman of the Parliament Committee for Human Rights Protection and Civil Integration Mikheil Sarjveladze and Professor of Ivane Javakhishvili State University – Gia Khubua.

In the second part of the event, Lela Janashvili presented to the audience the second issue of the Journal of Personal Data Protection Law and the new guide to protecting minors’ data. There was also a presentation of videos, which the service prepared for January 28 within the campaign “Privacy is your right”. 

In the videos, historian – Giorgi Kalandia, doctor – Nugzar Uber, psychologist – Ramaz Sakvaliidze, social network “META” project manager – Mariam Sharangia and photographer and social entrepreneur – Ana Goguadze talk about the importance of keeping personal information intact. Videos will be published step by step on the official page of the office and social media.

Around 50 guests attended the event, including members of Parliament and representatives from the public, private, academic and non-governmental sectors.