Media Release
23 September 2010

Thirteen privacy enforcement agencies around the world have joined forces to launch the "Global Privacy Enforcement Network" (GPEN), a network designed to facilitate cross-border cooperation in the enforcement of privacy laws. In developing this network, the participating agencies recognized the need for greater international cooperation in this area. In the 'Action Plan' launching the network, the founding privacy enforcement authorities stressed that "it is important that government authorities charged with enforcing domestic privacy laws strengthen their understanding of different privacy enforcement regimes as well as their capacities for cross-border cooperation."

"Cooperation is critical in the enforcement of privacy laws. GPEN will provide us with the necessary tools to facilitate cooperation with our international counterparts," stated Jon Leibowitz, Chairman of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, one of the network's launching members.

The need for greater cooperation in the enforcement of privacy laws has been recognised not only by privacy regulators, but also by multilateral organisations, including the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.

"We live in a globalized world with new technologies providing infinite possibilities for sharing and re-using information globally. Privacy has thereby also become a global issue. If we want to continue to protect the privacy rights of our national citizens, it is essential that we work together internationally," stated Jacob Kohnstamm, head of the Dutch Data Protection Authority, another founding GPEN member.

Discussions that led to the creation of GPEN began in the fall of 2009, and on 10 March, 2010, representatives from many of the founding GPEN agencies met in Paris to discuss the network's direction and to officially launch GPEN.

The agencies participating in GPEN are pleased to unveil the public GPEN website today, and thank the OECD for supporting the website. Government agencies interested in participating in GPEN are encouraged to review the guidelines and instructions available on the GPEN website.

"The challenges in obtaining redress for consumers whose privacy has been compromised in today's digital environment can be daunting. GPEN is part of a collective effort to provide more effective cross-border enforcement and complaints resolution. This is as relevant for a small economy in the South Pacific as it is for Europe and North America and New Zealand is pleased to play its part," said New Zealand Privacy Commissioner, Marie Shroff, another GPEN founding member.

The thirteen participating GPEN privacy enforcement authorities are:

U.S. Federal Trade Commission
Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
Commission Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libertés (France)
Office of the Privacy Commissioner, New Zealand
Israeli Law, Information and Technology Authority
Office of the Privacy Commissioner, Australia
Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, Ireland
Agencia Española de Protección de Datos (Spain)
Information Commissioner's Office (United Kingdom)
Garante Per La Protezione Dei Dati Personali (Italy)
Dutch Data Protection Authority (the Netherlands)
Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information (Germany)
Office of the Victorian Privacy Commissioner, (Victoria, Australia)

ENDS

For further information go to https://www.privacyenforcement.net/ or
contact Cathy Henry on +64 21 509 735.