The Updated Principles on Privacy and the Protection of Personal Data approved by the Inter-American Juridical Committee (CJI) last April were presented on Monday, June 7, in a webinar organized by the Department of International Law of the OAS Secretariat for Legal Affairs.

Dr. Mariana Salazar Albornoz, member of the CJI and rapporteur on the subject, shared some background on the creation of these Updated Principles, including the mandate conferred by the OAS General Assembly to the CJI, and the extensive consultation process with Member States and international organizations that was conducted over an 8-month period. The rapporteur listed each of the Updated Principles and stressed that they constitute a bridge to unite the different approaches that exist in the region on the issues addressed in this work, noting that although there are differences in the denominations given to different concepts in the OAS Member States, the substance of these concepts is quite similar in much of the region.

Next, Dr. Paula Vargas, Facebook's Director of Privacy and Public Policy for Latin America, referred to two of the Updated Principles: Principle Two: Transparency and Consent and Principle Ten: Accountability, sharing some practical experience. "Accountability is the foundation of privacy regulation," the expert said, "Privacy is dynamic; it changes as technology, the social context and technology evolve. Therefore, privacy programs should be reviewed periodically to ensure that they are keeping up with these changes.”

For his part, Dr. Nelson Remolina, Deputy Superintendent for the Protection of Personal Data of Colombia’s Superintendency of Industry and Commerce elaborated on Principle Thirteen: Data Protection Authorities and shared practical considerations from the authority’s point of view. In addition to highlighting the importance of having authorities that are effective in the protection of personal data, Professor Remolina stressed the importance of international cooperation and declared himself a staunch supporter of privacy by default and by design.

Finally, Dr. Lorena Naranjo Godoy, National Director of Ecuador’s Public Data Registry (DINARAP), referred to the process of creating the Organic Law on the Protection of Personal Data approved in that country in May 2021, followed by an overview of its main features, highlighting its acceptance by civil society and other national and international social actors. She also shared her views on the compatibility of this Law with the content of the Updated Principles and called for the construction of spaces of digital trust in the region.

The webinar concluded with a Q&A, based on questions submitted in real time by the viewers.