PH to host 52nd APPA Forum in Cebu
The Philippines is set to host the 52nd Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities (APPA) Forum in Cebu with the National Privacy Commission (NPC) taking the lead.
Privacy commissioners from the region and guest ASEAN representatives are expected to converge for the main event at the Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa on 2-3 December 2019. During the formal sessions, members and invited guests will meet in closed-door sessions to discuss best practices, build partnerships, share information on emerging technology and trends, as well as explore new policy directions across the region.
Other activities in the agenda include, the discussion of jurisdictional reports from each delegation, conduct of roundtable dialogues, exchange views on the challenges linked with international data transfer and the cross-border enforcement of privacy laws across Asia Pacific.
“Since its founding in 1992, the APPA has inspired alliances among authorities in the region, paving the way for establishing cooperative arrangements that push for data subject protection. At the 52nd APPA Forum in Cebu City, Philippines, we keep to this cherished tradition of judicious discourse and communal action as we jointly address new and emerging privacy challenges that are continually prompted by technological advances,” Privacy Commissioner Raymund Enriquez Liboro said.
This will be the first time for the Philippines to host APPA, acknowledged as the principal forum for privacy and data protection authorities in the Asia Pacific region, aimed at facilitating partnerships and the exchange of ideas on privacy regulation.
Meantime, three side events are also scheduled during the APPA Forum, open to all Data Protection Officers (DPOs) and the general public. They are the NPC’s DPO ACE (Accountability, Compliance, and Ethics) certification program, the Global Privacy Forum, and the PSST! (Privacy, Security, Safety, and Trust) symposium for students and educators.
Around 800 DPOs in the Visayas and Mindanao are expected to join the NPC’s DPO ACE (Accountability, Compliance, and Ethics) certification program on December 3 at the Waterfront Hotel & Casino, Cebu City. It shall cover the standard seven modules, to be discussed by top agency officials, while the written examination is scheduled on December 5.
Meanwhile, the flagship Global Privacy Forum is set on December 4, with the theme “Bridging East and West”. Around 800 participants are also expected to join in the discussions, which features panel sessions to discuss policy reforms, projects, and programs in different jurisdictions that are relevant to the operations and activities of local sectors. Among the guests and panelists include United Kingdom Deputy Information Commissioner James Dipple-Johnstone, Hong Kong Privacy Commissioner Stephen Kai-Yi Wong, New Zealand Privacy Commissioner John Edwards, British Columbia Privacy Commissioner Michael McEvoy, Canada Deputy Privacy Commissioner Brent Homan, and Allison M. Lefrak of the US Federal Trade Commission.
Also, on December 4, the PSST! Symposium is to be held at the University of Southern Philippines Foundation. Meant as a youth-oriented public awareness campaign on the risks brought on by careless and carefree use of online services, around 500 students are set to join the whole-day event. Among its highlights include the launch of “Kabataang Digital”, an advocacy campaign to promote a safe digital environment for teens and kids.
The complete rundown of the 52nd APPA program may be viewed online at www.appa52.privacy.gov.ph
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