The National Privacy Commission is taking the lead in the preparations as the Philippines is set to host the 52nd Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities (APPA) Forum in Cebu.
As reported, privacy commissioners from the region and guest ASEAN representatives are expected to converge for the main event at the Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa on 2-3 December 2019.
Scheduled Activities
During the formal sessions, members and invited guests will meet in closed-door sessions to discuss best practices, build partnerships, and share information on emerging technology and trends.
They will also take this opportunity to explore new policy directions across the region.
Several activities are also in the agenda. These are:
- Discussion of jurisdictional reports from each delegation
- Conduct roundtable dialogues
- Exchange views on the challenges linked with international data transfer and the cross-border enforcement of privacy laws across Asia Pacific
About APPA
Privacy Commissioner Raymund Enriquez Liboro shared that APPA has inspired alliances among authorities in the region since its founding in 1992. It paved the way for establishing cooperative arrangements that push for data subject protection.
At the 52nd APPA Forum in Cebu City, Philippines, this cherished tradition of judicious discourse and communal action will be kept as they jointly address new and emerging privacy challenges, which are continually prompted by technological advances.
This will be the first time for the Philippines to host APPA, which is acknowledged as the principal forum for privacy and data protection authorities in the Asia Pacific region.
The forum aims to facilitate partnerships and the exchange of ideas on privacy regulation.
Additional Events
Three side events, moreover, are also scheduled during the APPA Forum. These are open to all Data Protection Officers (DPOs) and the general public. These are:
- The NPC’s DPO ACE (Accountability, Compliance, and Ethics) certification program
Around 800 DPOs from Visayas and Mindanao are expected to join the certification program on 3 December 2019.
It will cover the standard seven modules, which will be discussed by top agency officials. The written examination will be scheduled on 5 December.
- The Global Privacy Forum
With the theme, “Bridging East and West”, the flagship Global Privacy Forum is set on 4 December. Around 800 participants are also expected to join in the discussions.
It features panel sessions to discuss policy reforms, projects, and programs in different jurisdictions, which are relevant to the operations and activities of local sectors.
Among the guests and panellists are United Kingdom Deputy Information Commissioner James Dipple-Johnstone, Hong Kong Privacy Commissioner Stephen Kai-Yi Wong, New Zealand Privacy Commissioner John Edwards, British Columbia Privacy Commissioner Michael McEvoy, Canada Deputy Privacy Commissioner Brent Homan, and Allison M. Lefrak of the US Federal Trade Commission.
- The PSST! (Privacy, Security, Safety, and Trust) symposium for students and educators
The PSST! Symposium will also be on 4 December. It is meant to be a youth-oriented public awareness campaign on the risks brought on by careless and carefree use of online services.
Around 500 students are set to join the whole-day event.
Among its highlights is the launch of “Kabataang Digital”, an advocacy campaign to promote a safe digital environment for teens and kids.
The complete rundown of the 52nd APPA program may be viewed here.