German and Canadian data protection authorities establish a basis for enhanced cooperation
Bonn/Berlin, 15 October 2012
Today, Jennifer Stoddart, the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, and Peter Schaar, the Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information in Germany, have signed a joint agreement in order to strengthen their mutual cooperation in the cross-border supervision of data protection.
Jennifer Stoddart: Germany has an enviable reputation for its leadership role in the promotion of privacy and the protection of personal data. I am very pleased to be in Berlin to sign this important agreement to facilitate cooperation between our Offices. In a world in which data protection issues do not recognize national borders, we must work together to promote and protect our common interests.
Peter Schaar: Today the transfer of personal data to other countries and continents is possible by a mouse click. We, the data protection Commissioners, therefore have to improve our work at the international level. With today's agreement we have created a common basis for closer cooperation between the Canadian and German authorities. This furthers better coordination in supervising cross border data processing, dovetailing our procedures in individual cases and last but not least enforcing data protection law. I am proud to host the signing of this document with my honored Canadian colleague.
The agreement stipulates that both data protection authorities exchange information in connection with their supervisory activities and inform each other about important events or complaints. In concrete cases – contrary to the previous practice – coordinated supervisory procedures relating to data protection law may take place in order to ensure the data subjects’ protection regardless of the location of the data processing. The Canadian and the German data protection commissioners are each striving to expand their cooperation with other data protection authorities around the world. Thus, the International Conference of Data Protection and Privacy Commissioners taking place from 23rd to 24th October 2012 in Uruguay will deal with the expansion of the relevant structures of cooperation.
- number:
- 21/2012
- Date of issue:
- 15.10.2012