Lack of trust can serve as the rationale for an increasing number of compelled data localisation measures globally, which may result in increasingly fragmented national approaches to data governance. Tackling this lack of trust must be a collective effort to ensure that regional, national or industry initiatives, however well-meaning, do not further fragment the Internet. Trust is strengthened when governments adopt robust and comprehensive commitments to protect the rights and freedoms of individuals, including the fundamental right to privacy.  

• How can countries strengthen data governance, ensuring data protection and privacy, to support a truly global digital economy? 
• How to mandate protections for personal data and privacy, based on, for example, OECD’s Declaration on Government Access to Personal Data Held by Private Sector Entities?
• How can governments and industry collect data with principles and standards for policies and practices that protect data and the right to privacy?

Speakers:

• Tobias Thiel, GIZ AU Office Director (opening remarks, TBC)
• Hon. Tobias Bacherle, Member of Parliament, Germany 
• Alison Gillwald, Executive Director: Research ICT Africa 
• Laura Tresca, the Brazilian Internet Steering Committee 

Moderator:

• Lily Edinam Botsyoe, University of Cincinnati 

Meet the speakers!