International Symposium on Data Exchange and Retention - 10-11 October 2008

Full Programm and registration form on http://www.libertysecurity.org/article2224.html

from: 10.10.2008

to: 11.10.2008

In: Sciences Po University

How should data protection mechanisms be adjusted in light of the recent IT tools developed to meet current security requirements?

Sovereignty issues, European and international technical collaboration and fundamental personal rights are the type of themes which will be discussed at an international symposium bringing together over thirty European experts specialising in data protection.

To travel the world, people no longer just rely on travel documents provided by their country of origin, but also have to accept the transfer of some personal data stored in databases. The question arises over the protection of this data and the control of these databases at world-wide level, representing a major political issue. Behind this political issue lie technical issues and economic rivalry particularly for the security industries in charge of the construction and management of these computerized databases. There currently appear to be two feasible ways forward: the de facto creation of a monopoly, or, on the contrary, the promotion of multicentre systems managed by different technological and business operators.

The debate surrounding personal data protection is taking place against this backdrop. Although fears relating to the establishment of a ’surveillance society’ may be longstanding, this issue is particularly relevant today. Legislation on data protection and the guiding principles should become increasingly coherent with the rise of transnational data exchange and storage systems. Each country is holding debates which sometimes lead to mutual incomprehesion, possibly resulting in the loss of trust and legitimacy. It is now time to examine the consolidation of fundamental rights and freedoms at an international level, which will most certainly raise questions concerning not only legal harmonisation but the reconciliation of political and philosophical ideas too.

The symposium will bring together stakeholders from different spheres to move the debate beyond the simple freedom and security dilemma. Taking the form of addresses and round tables, direct discussion will take place between politicians, academics, senior civil servants, business leaders, etc. Among those taking part are Michèle Alliot-Marie, French Minister of the Interior, Overseas France and Territorial Communities, Jacques Barrot (Vice-President of the European Commission), Bruno Latour (French sociologist), Alex Türk (Chairman of CNIL, French Data Protection Authority), Peter Hustinx (European Data Protection Supervisor), Brun-Otto Bryde (German Constitutional Court judge), Szabo Mate (Ombudsman, Hungary), Gilles de Kerchove (EU Counterterrorism Coordinator) and Mireille Delmas-Marty (Professor, France).

Full Programm and registration form on http://www.libertysecurity.org/article2224.html