A major moment for data privacy | European Voice

Companies recognise that robust privacy protections are necessary; the challenge is getting the regulation right.

Imagine a world where, when you are about to run out of milk, your refrigerator sends you an instant message and then alerts the grocery store to have a carton ready for you. As you drive to the store, your car notifies local governments of icy roads or potholes that need to be filled. And, if you are running late to the next appointment in your calendar, your car re-routes you to save time based on changes in traffic.

This world is not so far off. In fact, aspects of it are already here. A future where devices increasingly share data and applications with one another promises to revolutionise not only daily errands, but the ways that companies do business and manage their work.

Given the right conditions, this digital economy will continue to expand, bringing with it enormous opportunities for innovation and economic growth. Yet achieving this future will require more than technological advances; it will depend on our ability to keep increasingly large and free-flowing amounts of data private and secure ? for individuals as well as organisations.

As connectivity continues to grow, modern economies are increasingly driven by consumer and business confidence in the security of their information. Online privacy is no longer a regulatory hurdle for companies to clear ? something corporations are forced to do ? but, rather, is a crucial component of business. Trust is as important to making our products work as electricity.

There is already evidence that privacy and security concerns may be hurting consumers' trust in the internet.

Today, 28 January, is Data Protection/Privacy Day. Events around the world will reflect how rapidly debates about privacy are evolving.

At one time, there was little common ground between the business community and European regulators on this issue: the former insisted any regulation at all would hamper growth, while governments advocated strict oversight.

There is, however, already evidence that privacy and security concerns may be hurting consumers' trust in the internet. In 2010, a study found that 56% of respondents had changed their minds about buying something online because of a privacy or security concern and a 2011 survey found that one-third of the smartphone users who did not use geo-location applications did not use them because of privacy concerns. Many companies now recognise that robust privacy protections are necessary for innovation and participation in the economy.

At the same time, the European Commission has set about updating its outdated regulatory regime on data protection. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to get things right in this area and unlock a future of greater innovation and investment in European economies.

There is much to applaud in the Commission's recently released proposed regulation. It avoids mandating specific technological solutions and attempts to help companies meet the challenge of doing business in various EU member states and around the world.

Yet there are also significant shortcomings in the proposal. To address these issues, the global business community took the unprecedented step of coming together under the auspices of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) to express concern that the current direction of the regulation would chill innovation and discourage investment in Europe. The ICC provided recommendations to improve the effectiveness of regulations governing data transfers outside of the EU, ensure administrative requirements are not overly burdensome and harmonise implementation and enforcement of the regulations.

The decisions ahead are important ones that will have a lasting impact on Europeans and on the companies that do business in Europe ? as such, we urge legislators to consider these recommendations.

On 28 January 1981, the Council of Europe issued the ?Convention for the protection of individuals with regard to automatic processing of personal data?. Behind that long title was a landmark step in setting down rules for privacy and protection of information. The world of technology has changed many times over since 1981. It will change many times more in the years to come ? and in ways that cannot be predicted. However, as was true in 1981, in 2013, Europe has an opportunity to show the world both how to protect the privacy of individuals and how to encourage economic development and innovation.

David Hoffman is director of security policy and global privacy officer for Intel Corporation and co-chair of the International Chamber of Commerce's taskforce for the protection of personal data and privacy in the digital economy.

? 2013 European Voice. All rights reserved.

Source: http://www.europeanvoice.com/article/2013/january/a-major-moment-for-data-privacy-/76267.aspx

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