Privacy and data protection authorities work together in specialised areas like cross-border data transfers, privacy enforcement, and other subject matters with immense impact to data protection.
The following information are the specialised networks that involve GPA member authorities. Some of these networks involve only member authorities while others include participation of other experts, government representatives or enforcement authorities.
The summaries are based upon publicly available information. Please notify the Secretariat of any errors or of any networks that have been overlooked.
APEC Cross-border Privacy Enforcement Arrangement (CPEA)
Description: The APEC Cross-border Privacy Enforcement Arrangement (CPEA) creates a framework for regional cooperation in the enforcement of Privacy Laws. Any Privacy Enforcement Authority (PE Authority) in an APEC economy may participate.
The CPEA aims to:
- facilitate information sharing among PE Authorities in APEC economies;
- provide mechanisms to promote effective cross-border cooperation between authorities in the enforcement of Privacy Law; and
- encourage information sharing and cooperation on privacy investigation and enforcement with PE Authorities outside APEC.
The CPEA aims to contribute to consumer confidence in electronic commerce involving cross-border data flows by establishing a framework for regional cooperation in the enforcement of Privacy Laws. The CPEA was endorsed by APEC Ministers in November 2009 and commenced in July 2010.
Many of the CPEA participants are also GPA members.
Website: The APEC Secretariat maintains both public and password protected web pages at https://www.apec.org/ for CPEA.
Global Privacy Enforcement Network (GPEN)
Description: In 2007 the OECD adopted a Recommendation on Cross-border Cooperation in the Enforcement of Laws Protecting Privacy that called for member countries to foster the establishment of an informal network of Privacy Enforcement Authorities and other stakeholders to discuss the practical aspects of privacy law enforcement cooperation, share best practices, develop shared enforcement priorities, and support joint enforcement initiatives. The Global Privacy Enforcement Network (GPEN) was then established in 2010 to strengthen personal privacy protections in the global context by assisting public authorities with responsibilities for enforcing domestic privacy laws to strengthen their capacities for cross-border cooperation.
The mission of the GPEN revolves on the cooperation between Privacy Enforcement Authorities to enable information exchange on trends, issues and experiences, and build capacity on enforcement experties and good practices. GPEN also encourages the use of processes or mechanisms that help bilateral or multilateral cooperation for efficient and effective enforcement activities, not only with Privacy Enforcement Authorities but also with international organizations around the world.
Most GPEN members are also GPA members.
Website: GPEN has a website with some pages open to the public at https://www.privacyenforcement.net/content/home-public and others that are available only to GPEN members.
International Working Group on Data Protection in Telecommunications (IWGDPT) (also known as the Berlin Group)
Description: The Working Group was founded in 1983 at the initiative of the Berlin Commissioner for Data Protection, who has continued to lead the Group. It includes representatives from Data Protection Authorities and international organizations dealing with privacy matters from all over the world. The Group has since 1983 adopted numerous recommendations (“Common Positions” and “Working Papers”) aimed at improving the protection of privacy in telecommunications. Membership of the Group includes representatives from Data Protection Authorities and other bodies of national public administrations, international organisations and scientists from all over the world. Since the 1990s the Group has in particular focused on the protection of privacy on the Internet.
The IWGDPT has had a long and productive association with the GPA. Most active participants in the IWGDPT are experts from within GPA member authorities.
Website: The Berlin Commissioner maintains a website at https://www.datenschutz-berlin.de/gremien.html for the IWGDPT.
UCENet
Description: The Unsolicited Communications Enforcement Network (UCENet) formerly known as the London Action Plan was founded in 2004. It is a global network of agencies and organizations engaged in combatting unsolicted communications. It aims to advance global consumer protection through cooperation, sharing of information and intelligence to identify risks and opportunities for enforcement action and/or prevention. Members share effective investigative techniques and enforcement strategies especially coordination activities involving multiple authorities.
The mission of UCENet is to maximize collaboration and information sharing across the network to enhance unilateral, bilateral and multilateral compliance and enforcement approaches and actions. The three (3) main priorities of the UCENet is on intelligence and cooperation, communications and engagement, and training and development.
Some members of UCENet are also GPA members.
Website: The UCENet Secretariat maintains a website at https://www.ucenet.org/.