Southern Mediterranean countries must become aware of the “imperative” linked to the protection of personal data. These principles are not sufficiently applied while cases of identity theft, loss or theft of personal data are recorded every day.
On the occasion of a day devoted to the protection of personal data, several cybersecurity experts and representatives of authorities and civil society from different countries of the southern Mediterranean met in Tunis to discuss the challenges of this subject and share their experiences.
Morocco took part in this regional conference alongside Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Algeria and the host country Tunisia.
The Kingdom was represented by Omar Seghrouchni, President of the National Commission for the Control of Personal Data Protection (CNDP), established by Law 09-08, who presented his expertise on the issue of digital identification and biometrics, processes used in particular in identity cards and national passports, in particular on their advantages and risks.
The invited countries with their delegations discussed the means of activating regional mechanisms, a common reflection to fight once morest this scourge made possible thanks to the Internet. To date, 151 countries have adopted legislation and structures to deal with the dangers posed by weak personal data protection.
Indeed, data protection, at the heart of contemporary issues, is threatened by “the unprecedented development of technologies and more particularly those of information brings, in addition to undeniable progress, new risks for the confidentiality of information”, indicates a press release from the Council of Europe, which is organizing this event alongside the National Data Protection Authority of Tunisia (INPDP), the European Union and the League of Arab States.
“One thing is clear: the principles of personal data protection are not sufficiently applied. All over the world, there are examples of data leaks, losses and thefts, and countries in the southern Mediterranean region are unfortunately not spared,” the document adds.
This situation requires concrete action through legislation, independent institutions and experts, as well as international collaboration, “hence the importance of dialogue and common reflection, the beginning of a possible collaboration in come “.
This meeting in Tunis brings together around a hundred renowned representatives and experts around four themes: international data protection standards, cybercrime, digital identity and cross-border flows.
The meeting will allow, in addition to the creation of links and the unprecedented opportunity for exchange between the countries of the region, to make the countries present aware of the need for solid protection of personal data for the benefit of people and their economy.
