Editorial
Dear members, dear colleagues,
This year’s BvD Autumn Conference and the subsequent Authorities Day have once again shown how crucial exchange and networking within the data protection community are. The title of the conference ‘Regulatory tsunami: Keeping an overview with security’ could not have been more fitting. The speakers at the BvD autumn conference – many of whom have again written up their presentations for this issue of News – addressed the challenges and opportunities facing our profession in a world that is increasingly characterised by digital processes and artificial intelligence. The world of data protection is subject to constant change, and only those who stay up to date can master the complex challenges of our time with confidence.
Our profession is confronted not only with technological but also political upheavals. With the end of the ‘traffic light’ coalition and the upcoming elections, the signs point to a change of government, in which a new federal government will most likely be in charge of our country’s political destiny. This change will, it seems certain, bring a temporary end to the current ‘growth initiative’. The previous discussion about reducing bureaucracy, which focussed on raising the threshold for appointing a data protection officer, will probably be relegated to the background for the time being. However, we all realise that this does not mean the all-clear, but rather the emergence of even greater threats.
Therefore, the BvD remains more than ever in demand as the voice of data protection officers in Germany. The new federal government will set different priorities and it can be assumed that the pressure on data protection and our profession will continue, if not increase. One of our association’s goals will therefore be to continue to campaign for data protection officers to be recognised as partners of modern business management and efficient public administration – and as a solution to the problem of bureaucracy, not its cause.
In connection with the discussion on the ‘growth initiative’, it became clear (once again) that the role of data protection officers is often misunderstood. It seems as if it is still not recognised that all data protection requirements remain in place, regardless of whether a data protection officer is appointed or not. Qualified data protection officers create real added value here: by providing sound advice, they help those responsible to efficiently integrate data protection into existing processes, which ultimately reduces unnecessary bureaucracy. They advise on the use of artificial intelligence or outsourcing to service providers outside the EU and thus offer security and guidance in highly complex subject areas.
It is precisely this expertise of our members that needs to be strengthened and made visible. A few years ago, the BvD began conducting a regular dialogue with politicians and associations and developed a catalogue of measures to communicate the importance of data protection officers even more clearly in the political dialogue. Numerous members have also repeatedly contributed their ideas to this dialogue. The challenges that lie ahead require us to constantly and confidently contribute our specialist knowledge and expertise to the public debate.
Let us work together to promote a forward-looking understanding of data protection as a driver of innovation and a solution to bureaucratic hurdles.
Yours
