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International Data Protection Authorities call for action
to protect children’s online privacy
Nassau, October 28th 2008. Data Protection Commissioner of The Bahamas, George E. Rodgers recently returned from the 30th International Conference of Data Protection and Privacy Commissioners that was held in Strasburg, France, during the period October 15 to 17, 2008. The theme of the conference was “Protecting Privacy in a Borderless World,” and it was jointly hosted by the President of the French Data Protection Authority and the German Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information.
One thread that resonated throughout the discussions was the need for all data protection and privacy authorities to protect the privacy rights of children. Indeed the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, Mrs. Jennifer Stoddart, while proposing a resolution in this regard had this to say: “Young people today are sophisticated users of the Internet, and they use this medium with ease and enthusiasm. While the opportunities are tremendous, we must ensure that they understand the impact that these technologies can have on their privacy, and provide them with the tools and information they need to make smart decisions.”
The resolution, which was co-sponsored by Data Protection Authorities (DPAs) from New Zealand, France, Ireland, Berlin and the United Kingdom, acknowledges that while many young people recognize the risks associated with their online activities, they often lack the experience, technical knowledge and tools to mitigate those risks. In addition, they are sometimes unaware of their own legal rights.
The DPAs found that a global commitment to education and increasing awareness is needed to ensure that children and young people around the world have access to a safe online environment respectful of their privacy. They are also calling on industry to take greater responsibility for protecting user privacy in the online environments they create for children.
In the Bahamas, we have only begun the awesome task of educating the public about the need to protect the privacy rights of all our citizens. We believe that a focus on children would pay substantial dividends in this regard.
DPAs from every continent participated in the conference which attracted some 78 data protection authorities with near six hundred (600) participants in attendance. The aim of the conference was to identify major challenges arising from the fact that privacy in an international context is subject to powerful technological, political, legal and economic developments. In addition to the resolution on children’s online privacy, the DPAs also adopted a number of other resolutions at the Conference and these have been posted on the conference Website: www.privacyconference2008.org
Accredited data protection authorities are considered premier experts on the principles and practice of data protection and privacy in their jurisdiction. They are also recognized as being independent with a clear mandate to promote and protect data protection and privacy across a wide sphere of activity. The Bahamas is not yet accredited. Our data protection Act, although passed in Parliament in April 2003, was only recently activated on May 2nd 2007.
The Data Protection Commissioner of The Bahamas is mandated by the Data Protection (Privacy of Personal Information) Act 2003, as the advocate and guardian of data protection (privacy) in The Bahamas. He is a corporation sole and is independent in the performance of his duties, with responsibility for the administration and enforcement of the provisions of the Act.
 Resolution on Children’s Online Privacy
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