BfDI at G7 Roundtable in Rome

The discussions focused in particular on the topics of Data Free Flow with Trust, i.e. the question of trustworthy international data transfers, and on current developments in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). In the future, we will need more international standards here, which is why it is so important that we bring in our German and European perspectives.

For example, the BfDI, together with the French data protection supervisory authority CNIL, has developed a comprehensive analysis of different certification mechanisms for cross-border data transfers, which was unanimously adopted in Rome by the G7 data protection authorities. The project, led by the BfDI, highlights important similarities and differences between certifications under the GDPR and the so-called Global Cross-Border Privacy Rules.

In addition, the BfDI was significantly involved in two statements on specific issues in the field of AI. The "Statement on AI and Children" points out potential data protection-related impacts and risks of AI technologies with regard to children and adolescents and calls on developers and users of AI systems to include these aspects in their considerations and to design AI systems in an age-appropriate manner. The "Statement on the Role of Data Protection Authorities in Fostering Trustworthy AI", on the other hand, makes it clear that data protection authorities must be closely involved in regulatory processes regarding AI technologies in order to enable the lawful and fundamental rights-preserving use of AI.

The next meeting of the G7 data protection authorities will be hosted by the Canadian Data Protection Authority in Ottawa in June 2025.