Opening remarks data protection

SPRING CONFERENCE OF DATA PROTECTION AUTHORITIES 2017 Opening remarks by Deputy Minister to the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Constantinos Petrides Thursday, April 27, 2017 Mediterranean Beach Hotel

Dear guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning and welcome to Cyprus.

It is great to see so many people here and we are very honored that this high-level conference has brought together so many specialists and speakers from all over Europe in Cyprus.

Let me clarify that I’m no specialist on Data Protection regimes and I will definitely not try to lecture you.

What I can tell you as the Minister entrusted by the President the mandate for the “Growth Plan” of the Cypriot economy and the “Reform of the civil Service” including the open public data policy is that I truly believe that in modern life, Data is the KING.

We do live in a digital era, driven by technology and innovation. They are the main driving source of income and job creation. And technology and innovation is about connecting people and building communities through the use of data. Without data, there is no economy, no development, no innovation.

But there is also a huge challenge that you as Data Protectors need to address. That connecting people, technologies and businesses through the use of data accesses 1

people’s lives. And there are always bad people out there and its your job to protect us from them.

And for the society to be able to reap the full benefits of the “data” and “innovation” revolution there is one prerequisite, a sina-qua-non; Consumer confidence and trust!

And this is the why we make laws for determining how we can use personal data.

Those laws should not of course stand in the way of business innovation or technological advancement. They should enhance and complement it with the necessary trust. The question should never be “Growth and Innovation or Trust” but “Growth and Innovation through Trust”

I am aware that the views and opinions in relation to data-sharing are complex and diverse, and this is why data protection has been high on the legal, political and judicial agenda both at EU and international level.

But this is the exact reason why all parties involved, the Government, the Industry’ s stakeholders and the Data Protection Authorities should all work together, try understand each other, and strike the right balance, design the necessary policyprescription. And by doing so we will built the desired culture of data- confidence.

This is the only way to economic growth; Embracing digital technologies while creating a trusted, transparent and balanced environment, if possible with harmonized rules for Europe.

As a Government, not only we welcome the relevant initiatives both at Council of Europe and at EU level but we are actively involved in the process, having also in mind

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that Data Protection rules are catalytical for completing the Digital Single Market of the EU, something which should be considered as a top priority for us all.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Openness strengthens democracy, the institutions, and promotes efficiency and effectiveness in both within the Government and in the private sector.

As Baroness Neville-Rolfe said two years ago, quoting the Chinese proverb “we live in interesting times”. And you have a catalytical role to play in those interesting, and I would add, dynamic times. Keep finding, but also fine-tuning the right balance among taking advantage of digital developments and the need to protect citizens’ interests and data. I hope that this conference will contribute to this end.

And as I may offer no advice on the data protection debate, my only advice to you all is to try and find some time and take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy even for a little bit Cyprus and Limassol, it’s a wonderful place.

I would like to thank you again for being here today and wish you all the best.

Thank you for your attention

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