Distinguished Co- facilitators,
My delegation joins others in thanking you for convening the third thematic deep dive on Data Protection. We also thank the briefers for sharing their useful insights.
We align ourselves with the statement made by Cuba on behalf of G-77 and China.
In today’s digital age, data has become an increasingly valuable commodity. Personal data , in particular, is a critical asset and therefore its protection is more important than ever before. The ever expanding digital footprint of individuals has led to an increased risk of privacy breaches and cyberattacks, which can have significant consequences for both individuals and the society.
With the ever-increasing amount of personal data generated and collected online, it is essential to have a robust and comprehensive framework that protects individuals’ privacy and security.
Let me highlight a few points about data protection:
First, to ensure effective data protection, a collaborative and multi-stakeholder approach is critical. It is essential that governments, civil society organizations, the private sector, and particularly large technology companies, are engaged in the process to promote a balanced and comprehensive approach to data protection.
In this regard, Governments must take a lead role by enacting strong data protection laws. Policymakers however should not control data in ways that limit its utility for society at large, but of course they have the responsibility to ensure data is not abused to cause societal harm.
Private companies should implement robust data protection regimes, such as encryption, access controls, and regular security audits, to safeguard personal data.
Second, Private businesses should prioritize data protection and implement robust data protection measures. They must also be transparent about their data collection and processing practices; and provide individuals with clear and accessible information about how their personal data is used.
Third, individuals must be empowered to protect their privacy and personal data by having access to information and tools that allow them to control how their data is collected, processed, and used.
In this regard, civil society organizations can play a vital role in raising awareness about the importance of data protection and encourage individuals to exercise their privacy rights.
Forth, new technologies are required that balance the need for protecting data privacy with advancing data analytics and artificial intelligence. This can be achieved through innovations such as secure and encrypted data sharing, anonymization techniques, and privacy-preserving machine learning algorithms. In this regard, it is important that all stakeholders have a clear understanding of the benefits and limitations of each tool and ensure that they comply with relevant data protection laws and regulations.
Finally, Co-facilitator, today, data tells the story of our lives. How well we live and how well we take care of ourselves, each other, and the planet earth. It is also widely abused as it remains largely ungoverned. Therefore, it is crucial that we develop a balanced and inclusive framework for data protection under the Global Digital Compact to ensure a safer and more secure digital future for all.
I thank you.