ODPA reflects two years on from game-changing law

'A Child in Data'


On 25 May 2018 the data protection landscape shifted.

To mark the two year anniversary of the day the EU’s GDPR and the Bailiwick’s local data protection law came into force we have put together a selection of content (presented below) that explores the breadth and complexity of our relationship with personal data, and its protection. We hope you find something of interest, something to be inspired by, or something to share with others.

Data protection is far from the dry subject many believe it to be, and we hope the diversity and scope of this content helps demonstrate this, encouraging an engagement with the subject that goes beyond sections of a law that we recognise can often seem impenetrable.

We must all keep in mind, that data protection – at its heart – is simple. It’s about treating people with dignity. And from that simple principle, endless complexities emerge.

• If you want to find out more about the context and aim of the EU’s GDPR, please read this beautifully-written blog from our Authority Member Christopher Docksey: The GDPR two years on: doing the right thing with data.
• If art inspires you, please reflect on this beautiful drawing 'A Child in Data' from a 13 year old local student depicting a child releasing their personal data as though blowing bubbles.
• This simple poem explores how all-encompassing data is and why it should matter to every one of us.
• This short story, by our communication and outreach officer Kirsty Bougourd, is a fictionalised personal account of why data protection emerged out of the Second World War atrocities made possible by the Nazi regime’s use of census data.
• For those looking to learn from the past, you can see what trends and insights we have gathered from examining the personal data breaches reported to us between May 2018-May 2020.
• Catch up with our podcasts which explore a number of themes such as the important role of culture, cyber security and managing your digital footprint.
• Read the joint statement made by the European Commission to mark the anniversary

It feels like the world we inhabit today bears little resemblance to the world GDPR was born into in 2018. But as we look to emerge out of a global pandemic, where personal data is being used to protect public health, we would do well to keep in mind the relevance of Recital 4 of the GDPR that our use of personal data “should be designed to serve mankind”.