PrivCom Joins Two Global Agreements
In February 2023, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Bermuda [PrivCom] has entered into “two prominent international enforcement cooperation agreements.”
A spokesperson said, “With these agreements, PrivCom will be able to liaise with privacy commissioners around the world to share resources in joint investigations that may affect individuals in Bermuda and elsewhere.
“PrivCom joined the Global Privacy Enforcement Network [GPEN], which includes jurisdictions from every continent around the world, as well as jurisdictions with whom Bermuda has close ties, such as Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom, the United States, and others. The GPEN supports cooperation through exchanging information about relevant issues and trends, sharing training and expertise, and undertaking specific activities, such as coordination of investigations, discussions on investigations techniques, supporting cross-jurisdictional educational projects, periodic conference calls, and other activities. More information about GPEN may be found at the network’s website.
“PrivCom also joined the Global Privacy Assembly’s Enforcement Cooperation Arrangement, which includes other jurisdictions with whom Bermuda has close ties, such as Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and others. Under this Arrangement, participants promote a common understanding and approach to cross-border enforcement cooperation at a global level by sharing enforcement related material and, where appropriate, coordinating their knowledge, expertise and experience that may assist other participants to address matters of mutual interest, among other aims. More information and a list of all participating jurisdictions may be found on the Global Privacy Assembly website. PrivCom’s Commissioner Alexander White serves as a member of the Global Privacy Assembly’s Executive Committee.
“PrivCom engages with its international counterparts to enhance Bermuda’s reputation as a regulatory leader and to ensure that its guidance and actions are consistent with standards and best practices around the world. Individuals benefit from this engagement because their privacy rights are interpreted according to the high standards of global consensus. Organisations benefit because our guidance reflects consensus best practices and our regulatory actions become interoperable standards that suit multiple jurisdictions, promoting consistency and reducing compliance costs.”
Commissioner White said, “There are many benefits to working with our international colleagues. Not only do we benefit from their experience to operate more efficiently and effectively, but we can also serve as the voice of Bermudians in matters of data or technology regulation of global and multi-national entities.”
