Tag Archives: Marty Abrams

Centre’s Response to the EU Consultation Paper

Posted on January 18, 2011 by Hunton & Williams LLP

On January 17, 2011, the Centre for Information Policy Leadership at Hunton & Williams LLP (the “Centre”) released a response to the European Commission’s consultation paper, “A comprehensive approach on personal data protection in the European Union.”  In its response, prepared by Richard Thomas, former UK Information Commissioner and Global Strategy Advisor of the Centre, the Centre calls for a modernized European framework for data protection that addresses the realities of the digital age.

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Centre Releases Statement on Department of Commerce’s Green Paper

Posted on December 20, 2010 by Hunton & Williams LLP

The Centre for Information Policy Leadership at Hunton & Williams has issued the following statement about the U.S. Department of Commerce’s “Green Paper” released on December 16: 

The Centre for Information Policy Leadership congratulates the Department of Commerce on the release of its Green Paper, entitled “Commercial Data Privacy and Innovation in the Internet Economy: A Dynamic Policy Framework,” and commends the Department for the extensive outreach and research it conducted to inform the document.  Continue reading…

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Privacy Commissioner of Canada Nominated for Reappointment

Posted on November 26, 2010 by Hunton & Williams LLP

Adam Kardash from Heenan Blaikie LLP in Canada reports that Jennifer Stoddart has been nominated for reappointment as Privacy Commissioner of Canada for a three-year term.  The nomination will be tabled in the House of Commons for consideration and is widely expected to be accepted.

Marty Abrams, Executive Director of the Centre for Information Policy Leadership at Hunton & Williams LLP, said, “Commissioner Stoddart has been a key leader in bringing data protection into the 21st century.”

Ms. Stoddart has served as Privacy Commissioner since December 2003.

For further information on the nomination, view the Prime Minister of Canada’s news release.

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Centre Comments on Commerce Department’s Notice of Inquiry on Global Free Flow of Information

Posted on November 18, 2010 by Hunton & Williams LLP

On November 15, 2010, the Centre for Information Policy Leadership filed comments with the Department of Commerce in response to the Department’s Notice of Inquiry (“NOI”) on the Global Free Flow of Information on the Internet.  The NOI was issued pursuant to an examination by the Department’s Internet Policy Task Force of issues related to restrictions on information flows on the Internet.  The NOI poses wide-ranging questions related to why such restrictions were instituted; the impact restrictions may have on innovation, economic development, global trade and investment; and how best to deal with any negative effects.  In the NOI, the Department acknowledges the benefits that businesses, emerging entrepreneurs and consumers derive from the ability to transmit information quickly and efficiently both domestically and internationally.  It also recognizes the integral role the free flow of information plays in promoting economic growth and democratic values essential to free markets and free societies.  The Department also articulated goals such as helping industry and other stakeholders operate in diverse Internet environments, and identifying policies that will advance economic growth and create job opportunities for Americans.

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Department of Commerce Provides Insight on Upcoming Privacy Paper

Posted on November 15, 2010 by Hunton & Williams LLP

Earlier today, a Department of Commerce official briefed Hunton & Williams and Centre for Information Policy Leadership representatives on the Department’s forthcoming “Green Paper” on privacy.  On November 12, 2010, Telecommunications Reports Daily published an article based on information obtained from an unofficial, pre-release draft version of the Green Paper.  It remains to be seen which portions of the leaked draft ultimately will survive the interagency approval process currently underway.  The Department of Commerce representative emphasized that the content of the draft Green Paper currently undergoing review is consistent with Assistant Secretary of Commerce Larry Strickling’s October 27, 2010, speech in Jerusalem.  In his speech, Secretary Strickling explained that the Department is calling it a “Green” Paper, “not because of its environmental impact, but because it contains both recommendations and a further set of questions on topics about which [the Department] seek[s] further input.”

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Live Coverage from Jerusalem

Posted on October 26, 2010 by Hunton & Williams LLP

This year, the 32nd International Conference of Data Protection and Privacy Commissioners takes place in Jerusalem.  In addition, the Israeli Law, Information and Technology Authority (“ILITA”) is hosting a week of privacy activities to mark the 30th anniversary of the OECD Privacy Guidelines.

Hunton & Williams and its Centre for Information Policy Leadership have an unprecedented five speakers addressing the conference.  The panels featuring Hunton & Williams’ privacy attorneys and advisors are:

  • Aggregation and Analytics: Constructing an Individual Profile, featuring Richard Thomas, the former UK Information Commissioner and Global Strategy Advisor of the Centre for Information Policy Leadership at Hunton & Williams
  • Compliance Programs and Accountability Agents, with panelist Marty Abrams, Executive Director of the Centre for Information Policy Leadership at Hunton & Williams
  • Consent: Illusion or Reality, featuring Lisa Sotto, head of the Global Privacy and Information Management practice at Hunton & Williams
  • Government Access to Private Sector Data, with moderator Fred Cate, Senior Policy Advisor of the Centre for Information Policy Leadership at Hunton & Williams
  • Conflict of Laws, featuring moderator Christopher Kuner, head of the EU Privacy and Information Management practice at Hunton & Williams

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Accountability Phase II – Demonstrating and Measuring Accountability

Posted on October 26, 2010 by Hunton & Williams LLP

On October 26, 2010, the Centre for Information Policy Leadership (the “Centre”) released its long-awaited paper, “Demonstrating and Measuring Accountability, Accountability Phase II – The Paris Project” at the 32nd International Conference of Data Protection and Privacy Commissioners in Jerusalem, Israel.  This document is the result of the deliberations of an international working group that includes 60 representatives of business, civil society, government, data protection and privacy enforcement agencies, and the European Data Protection Supervisor.  Acting as Secretariat, the Centre led the collaborative drafting process of the paper and convened meetings facilitated by the CNIL in Paris earlier this year to discuss the Accountability Project.  The document builds upon last year’s work on accountability, “Data Protection Accountability: The Essential Elements, the Galway Project,” and explores what organizations should be prepared to demonstrate to establish their accountability, as well as how regulators should measure accountability.  The paper lists nine common fundamentals of an accountability implementation program that provide guidance to organizations looking to build their programs.

Phase III of the Accountability Project, to be carried out in 2011, will be facilitated by the Spanish Data Protection Agency.

For more information on the Centre’s Accountability project, please visit the Centre’s website.

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Centre Hosts “Accountability on the Ground” Workshop at IAPP Privacy Academy

Posted on October 6, 2010 by Hunton & Williams LLP

On September 29, 2010, the Centre for Information Policy Leadership (the “Centre”) hosted a pre-conference workshop at the International Association of Privacy Professionals (”IAPP”) Privacy Academy in Baltimore, Maryland.  The tutorial “Accountability on the Ground,” led by Centre Executive Director Marty Abrams, offered practical guidance on the subject of accountability.  The workshop, which featured presentations by Centre member companies, discussed in-depth examples of how organizations can implement an accountability program.

Over the past year, the Fair Information Practice Principle of Accountability has figured prominently in international and national policy discussions about how to improve privacy and data protection.  Current approaches are increasingly challenged by the ubiquitous collection of data, the increased speed and power of processing and the complex business models and vendor networks that support data flows and analytics.  Robust data flows hold tremendous potential for economic benefit for individuals and businesses, but that potential can be realized only if individuals trust that their data is used responsibly and their privacy is protected.

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Speaking around the World

Posted on September 27, 2010 by Hunton & Williams LLP

Please join us at these great events coming up this fall.  Several members of Hunton & Williams’ Privacy and Information Management team are presenting at these events to discuss the current and evolving privacy and data security issues occurring around the world.

Internet Rights and Technology: A Practical Legal Guide to Doing Business on the Internet – New York City Bar
On September 28, 2010, 6:00 p.m. – 8:45 p.m., the New York City Bar hosts a live program to discuss how the Internet affects various areas of law, including intellectual property, new media, litigation, regulatory and licensing.  The faculty includes Hunton & Williams partner, Aaron P. Simpson, who will lead the Privacy & Data Security session.

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2010 IAPP Global Privacy Summit

Posted on April 15, 2010 by Hunton & Williams LLP

Join us next week at the International Association of Privacy Professionals (“IAPP”) Global Privacy Summit in Washington, D.C., April 19 – 21, 2010.  This year’s summit features three days of intensive programs and networking with more 1,500 privacy professionals.  We also hope you will visit our privacy professionals who are speaking on the following panels:

  • The Essential Elements of Accountability and Baking Them into a Privacy Business Process
    Tuesday April 20, 1:15 – 2:15 p.m.
    Speakers include: Marty Abrams, Executive Director of the Centre for Information Policy Leadership and Scott Taylor, CIPP, Chief Privacy Officer of Hewlett-Packard Company.
     
  • Revisiting the Safe Harbor a Decade Later
    Wednesday April 21, 12:15 – 1:15 p.m.
    Speakers include: Lisa J. Sotto, Partner and Head of the Privacy and Information Management Practice at Hunton & Williams LLP; Damon Greer, CIPP, Director, U.S. – EU and Swiss Safe Harbor Framework, U.S. Department of Commerce; and JoAnn Stonier, Global Privacy & Data Usage Officer of MasterCard Worldwide.
     
  • Data Can Be Good: Exploring Alternatives to Data Minimization for Protecting Privacy
    Wednesday April 21, 12:15 – 1:15 p.m.
    Speakers include: Marty Abrams, Executive Director of the Centre for Information Policy Leadership; Fred Cate, Distinguished Professor of Indiana University and Senior Policy Advisor of the Centre for Information Policy Leadership; and Stan Crosley, CIPP, Co-Director of Indiana University Center for Strategic Health Information Provisioning and Principal of Crosley Law Offices, LLC. The program is moderated by Jane Horvath, CIPP, CIPP/G, Senior Privacy Counsel of Google, Inc.

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