The six executive committee members of the Ibero-American Data Protection Network (Network) attended the First Latin American Congress on Data Protection. The Network brings together 22 Data Protection Authorities (DPAs) from Spain, Portugal, Mexico, and a number of countries in Central and South America and the Caribbean. During the 10 years of its existence, the organization has promoted the development of comprehensive data protection legislation and introduction of data protection authorities throughout Latin America.
The network has become the main forum for dealing with cooperation among Latin American and Ibero-American authorities. Collaboration resulted in the recent introduction of a number of new data protection regimes in the region (please see our blogs about the data protection laws entering into force in Costa Rica, Peru and Colombia).
The development of the data protection among the Network members was heavily influenced by Spain, which exports its data mainly to Latin America. This has resulted in almost all of the members modelling their laws in line with the Spanish legislation and European Union principles.
As well as promoting further collaboration and general increase in data protection laws across Latin America, the Network plans to focus on cloud computing, the right to be forgotten, and online advertising rules. These and other matters are likely to be further discussed during the 11th annual meeting of the Network’s executive committee, which will be held in October 2013 in Cartagena, Colombia.