SEEDIG 2018 | Programme details

22, 25, 32, 33, 36, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 46, 49, 57, 66, 75, 78, 80, 92, 94** (see the list of proposals)

With data as a central commodity in the digital economy, the use of personal data creates many questions and concerns regarding the protection of the rights we have as consumers. However, it also creates a chance for different actors to create innovative solutions to ensure and put these rights into practice. These developments are affected by the coming into force of a new EU legal framework through the General Data Protection Regulation and the discussions around the new ePrivacy Regulation. This session will also address issues such as awareness, gaps in the digital economy, how to ensure innovation and data governance for new services such as the Internet of Things.

Data, digital economy, useful DATA , Big DATA, IG ecosystem, personal data, new oil, human rights, protection, digital society, industry needs, development, network life, digital awareness, digital culture, digitalisation actors, platforms, telecoms, data protection, data usage, data governance, digital economy, innovation, Internet economy, ethics

This session will discuss the data economy and data protection along a spectrum with ethics at one end and legislative framework at the other.

According to the European Commission, the value of the EU data economy was more than €285 billion in 2015, representing over 1.94% of the EU GDP. With favourable conditions, this figure may grow to 4% by 2020. The formula of a healthy digital economy is active use of data and inviolability of the right to protect personal data. Recent legislative developments, most notably the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)which enters into force on 25 May 2018, puts new demands on how companies handle personal data. However, even with the GDPR, ethics remains a constantly developing field of study and as the data economy evolves, this demands continued discussions.

These developments pose both challenge and opportunity for companies to innovate and develop new business models. Therefore, the session will focus on showcasing experiences of practical implementation of data protection. The aim is to show that there is not necessarily a contradiction between the development of the European data economy and ensuring the protection of data and the rights of the data subject. In addition, SEEDIG covers a vast geographical and legislative spectrum of countries and this session will, therefore, aim to ensure fair representation of practices and good and less good experiences.

Moderated discussion

Moderators:

• Marta Capelo Gaspar, European Telecommunications Network Operators’ Association (ETNO), Portugal
• Valentina Pellizzer, Association for Progressive Communications, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Key participants/resource persons:

• Liljana Pecova Ilieska, Metamorphosis – Foundation for Internet and Society, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (online participation)
• Janet Zaharieva, Bulgarian Telecommunications Company EAD (Vivacom), Bulgaria

Online moderator: Nikoleta Krstić, University of Ljubljana, Serbia

Rapporteur(s):

• Nika Mahnič, University of London, Slovenia
• Jana Mišić, University of Leipzig, Serbia

• APC (2016), Big data and sexual surveillance
• ETNO (2017), Lead or lose – A vision for Europe’s digital future
• The European Commission (2018), Building a European data economy
• The New York Times (2018), Tech Giants Brace for Europe’s New Data Privacy Rules
• The Verge (2018), How Europe’s new privacy rule is reshaping the Internet

• Data protection is vital for a data-driven economy. Strong regulation such as the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is the first step towards enhancing the trust of users, ensuring privacy and transparency, but it should be followed by equally strong enforcement.
• Governments and civil society should do more to raise awareness and build capacities among end-users about the ownership of data and how their personal data is being collected, processed and shared.
• Collaboration is key and SEEDIG should be used as a platform to map the challenges in implementing GDPR in the region, particularly in the non-EU member states.
• Questions of consent and notification about data breaches are important. There is a need for a clear set of rules on when and how data subjects should be informed about data breaches, as well as for continuous revision of data protection rules and regulations.

Team leads:

• Kristina Olausson, European Telecommunications Network Operators’ Association (ETNO)
• Valentina Pellizzer, Association for Progressive Communications, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Team members:

• Andrea Beccalli, Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers
• Natalia Filina, Russian Federation
• Erika Mann, Covington & Burling LLP, Belgium
• Teemu Ropponen, Open Knowledge Finland
• Oliana Sula, University ‘Aleksandër Moisiu’ Durrës/Estonian Business School, Albania

Contact points:

• Sorina Teleanu (Executive Committee member)
• Jana Mišić (intern)