ODPA Commissioner joins high-level European session

Published: 9 October 2024

Bailiwick of Guernsey Data Protection Commissioner Brent Homan joined high-level discussions in Brussels this week.

It is the second time this year he has been invited to the heart of the European Commission (EC) since it endorsed the Bailiwick as an ‘adequate’ jurisdiction for data protection, following a four-year review.

An adequacy designation for Guernsey officially recognises that personal data transferred between the European Union (EU) and the Bailiwick benefits from robust data protection safeguards.

All adequate jurisdictions were invited to join the discussions in Brussels, which focused on cooperation between them on safe data flows, sharing guidance and exploring new avenues for joint actions, including through enforcement cooperation.

The meetings were chaired by the European Data Protection Board (EDPB), an independent advisory body which ensures European data protection legislation is consistently applied across the 27-member bloc.

“Cooperation with our International counterparts is an essential strategic pillar in advancing the domestic and global interests of the Bailiwick”, said Commissioner Homan, “We look forward to expanding these partnerships towards promoting a public and private sector in the Bailiwick that embraces compliance and elevates the level of trust and consumer confidence.”

Adequate status is essential to the continued success of the Bailiwick’s economy as it enables data flows (critical for the finance industry) to the islands from the EU without requiring businesses to implement additional safeguards.