Press Release:

ODPA resumes events and support programmes

Published: 24 March 2021

The Office of the Data Protection Authority (ODPA) has released details of its 2021 series of events and support programmes designed to raise awareness of citizens’ rights and improve compliance within their regulated community, which are being relaunched following the end of on-Island restrictions.

The ODPA has a number of new face to face and online initiatives underway this year, both to assist Islanders working with data in the community, but also to help the general public understand what personal data is and how they can look after their own well.

The popular events programme, first launched in 2019, will see the return of seven key sessions, featuring topics such as ‘data protection in the workplace’, ‘the seven data protection principles’, ‘human error versus technology’, ‘data protection in healthcare’ and ‘how to respond to subject access requests’. Four new events will also feature in the last quarter of 2021.

The ODPA will also continue offering drop-ins at its offices in Le Bordage and study visits, plus for the first time, it is to hold a week-long launch event for its social initiative known as Project Bijou, which will feature a range of local and international speakers.

Emma Martins, Bailiwick of Guernsey Data Protection Commissioner, explained how these restarted activities fit with the ODPA’s statutory duties as the independent regulator for data protection in the Bailiwick.

‘Building public awareness of citizens’ rights and promoting awareness within our regulated community of their legal responsibilities is a key part of our statutory role. Our public engagement programme is aimed at initiating positive, cultural change through the ODPA being accessible to local organisations and Islanders of all ages. We are here to encourage innovation and excellence in data protection practices, and to engage with the regulated community and individuals so we’re so pleased to be able to resume these initiatives.’

Mrs Martin’s also confirmed details of the launch of Project Bijou, which aims to encourage a cultural shift around how personal data is treated, to change behaviour for the better, and to reduce data harms.

‘We are genuinely excited to be launching Project Bijou in the week of 24 May. It will be free, and all online. We have secured a host of extremely knowledgeable local and international speakers, covering a number of themes including the role culture plays in data, why better engagement is needed and the effects data harms have on people. By sharing stories, knowledge and experience related to ethical data use, in a way that benefits everyone, we can change behaviour, shift culture and reduce harm.’  

The first of the free one hour events, ‘Data breaches: human error versus technology’, will be held online on Tuesday 20 April. The events programme continues through to the end of 2021 either at the ODPA’s premises in Le Bordage or online. Project Bijou Launch Week will be held online 24-28 May 2021.

More details of all events and how to register can be found at odpa.gg/events. 

NOTES 

About the ODPA’s public engagement activities
The ODPA believe that effective regulation is possible by ensuring action is taken in four key areas in relation to data harms: Predict, Prevent, Detect, and Enforce. Knowing where there is potential for harm allows the ODPA to raise awareness and empower citizens to try to prevent harms from happening. This awareness-raising happens via: