The Global Privacy Assembly values collaboration and establishment of working relations with different privacy and data protection authorities across different regions. The networks included in this list are those that involve GPA member authorities, while others also have participation from other regulators or government authorities in the region.
The network descriptions below are based on publicly available information such as that available on their website or official publications. Please notify the Secretariat if there are any errors or relevant updates.
The list includes only permanent networks. This list does not include networks of authorities within a single country as there could be several other networks within federal countries.
Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities (APPA) Forum
Description: The Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities ( APPA) Forum is formed in 1992. It is the principal forum for privacy and data protection authorities in the Asia Pacific region to form partnerships and exchange ideas about privacy regulation, new technologies, and the management of privacy enquiries and complaints. The APPA members convene twice a year to discuss emerging topics, initiatives, program or project updates, and report on the actions on matters within their jurisdiction. The Forum has different Working Groups on specific matters for a more in-depth discussion
Privacy and data protection authorities based in the Asia Pacific region are eligible for APPA membership through four pathways to membership, being:
- an accredited member of the GPA; or
- a participant in the APEC Cross-border Privacy Enforcement Arrangement (CPEA); or
- a member of the Global Privacy Enforcement Network (GPEN); or
- a participant in the Global Cooperation Arrangement for Privacy Enforcement (CAPE).
The APPA Forum expressly recognises accreditation to the GPA as a basis for APPA membership. Most APPA members are also members of the GPA, and many actively participate in the Conference, with several having hosted annual meetings.
One of the objectives of the APPA is to continue the cooperative arrangements and maintain constructive relations with complementary networks including the GPA, the APEC CPEA and the GPEN.
Website and contact: The APPA Secretariat maintains the APPA website at https://www.appaforum.org/ and can be contacted at: APPA_secretariat@pdpc.gov.sg.
British, Irish and Islands Data Protection Authorities (BIIDPA)
Description: The British, Irish and Islands Data Protection Authorities (BIIDPA) gather data protection authorities whose respective regulatory regimes share close affinities and relations with each other. It aims to promote practical supervisory consistency, advancing and promoting data privacy and data protection rights while enabling responsible and responsive innovation, both within and across their respective jurisdictions.
In their annual meetings, these Authorities discuss common data privacy and data protection issues, share bests practices and enforceable strategies.
The BIIDPA members are also accredited GPA members.
Central and Eastern Europe Data Protection Authorities (CEEC)
Description: The Central and Eastern Europe Data Protection Authorities (CEEDPA) meet annually to allow data protection and privacy authorities within the region to report on the latest developments in their respective authorities and share best practices. These comprises CEEDPA member states, including both EU and non-EU countries. The discussions revolve on the emerging privacy and data protection issues, challenges and innovation.
The CEEDPA aims to enhance cooperation among data protection authorities and foster expert-led discussions and international collaboration to reinforce privacy standards.
The CEEDPA participants need not be accredited GPA members, but most of them are GPA members.
Website: The Polish DPA administers the CEEDPA website at http://ceedpa.pdp.ge/.
Conference of European Data Protection Authorities (Spring Conference)
Description: This is an annual conference of European Data Protection Authorities, otherwise known as the “Spring Conference”. It is a gathering for all privacy and data protection authorities across European states to exchange information, discuss common issues, interests, views and best practices on data privacy and data protection.
It aims to promote cooperation between the diverse systems in Europe to establish an unparalleled regional data privacy ecosystem. It emphasizes practical exchange and discussion on the developments, implementation of policies and privacy-related legislation.
The Spring Conference participants are mainly accredited GPA members.
Consultative Committee of the Convention for the Protection of Individuals with regard to Automatic Processing of Personal Data (T-PD)
Description: The Consultative Committee of the Convention for the Protection of Individuals with regard to Automatic Processing of Personal Data (T-PD) serves to monitor and oversee the implementation of the Convention, promote its global application and address emerging issues and developments.
Each state that accedes to the Council of Europe Data Protection Convention nominates a representative to the T-PD. The Committee therefore comprises a mix of government officials and, where nominated, members of national DPAs. The Council of Europe Data Protection Commissioner also participates and other observers.
The GPA is an observer to the CAHDATA and T-PD. The Council of Europe is an observer to the GPA. The GPA was privileged to hold its 30th Conference in the Council of Europe’s Palais de l’Europe Hemicycle.
Website: The Council of Europe Secretariat maintains website pages at https://www.coe.int/en/web/data-protection/ devoted to the T-PD and the Council of Europe’s other data protection work.
Nordic Data Protection Authorities’ meeting
Description: The Nordic Data Protection Authorities meet annually to discuss issues on data protection and strengthen their cooperation to respond to emerging technologies, share resources and ensure consistent enforcement of data protection regulations. Their meetings likewise serve as the venue for updates on the implementation of policies, legislation, innovation and privacy and data protection law enforcement.
They aim to effectively and timely respond to violations of the individuals’ fundamental right to data protection by focusing on common issues across the members and agree on specific action plans and initiatives.
The Nordic DPAs are also accredited GPA members.