The Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information

Navigation and service

Bonn, 11/05/2022

Press release 8/2022

BfDI welcomes G7 Digital Ministers’ commitment to democratic values in international data flows

The Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information (BfDI), Professor Ulrich Kelber, welcomes the declaration adopted today by the Digital Ministers under the German G7 Presidency and the action plan to strengthen a free and trustworthy data flow (Data Free Flow with Trust / DFFT).

G7-Logo
Source: BPA/BfDI

Professor Kelber emphasises the importance of DFFT: We all want the benefits of a global data space. However, this is only possible in accordance with principles relating to democracy and the rule of law. Therefore, I welcome the fact that the G7 Digital Ministers underline the importance of democratic values for DFFT in their today’s declaration and that the G7 action plan on DFFT will continue under the German G7 Presidency. The data protection authorities of the G7 countries will engage constructively in this process. To this end, a roundtable of the G7 data protection authorities will take place in September under my chairmanship.

In the future, the DFFT action plan shall contribute to greater interoperability and enhanced cooperation between supervisory authorities at international level.

The G7 data protection authorities regularly exchange views on technological issues and the enforcement of data protection. The BfDI organises this year’s roundtable of the G7 data protection authorities in Bonn.