Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities Forum
Lead Sector: Policy and Promotion Sector
Purpose
- The Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities Forum (APPA) is the principal forum for privacy and data protection authorities in the Asia Pacific region to share information and best practices about privacy developments.
Background
- Formed in 1992, APPA convenes twice per year. Members discuss topical privacy issues of common interest and share reports on domestic legislative, enforcement and outreach developments. APPA does not adopt common policy positions nor does it issue resolutions.
- OPC has been an APPA member for several years. The OPC co-hosted the 48th APPA Forum jointly with the British Columbia Privacy Commissioner’s Office, in Vancouver in the fall of 2017.
Current OPC Participation
- The Deputy Commissioners of Policy & Promotion and Deputy Commissioner of Compliance, accompanied by one staff member, alternate attendance of this meeting. The OPC is often invited to present on topics of interest during APPA meetings.
Strategic Goals
- Participation with APPA gives the OPC an opportunity to showcase its accomplishments, discuss best practices, learn from other APPA members and share information on emerging technology, trends and changes to privacy regulation.
Next steps
- The upcoming 57th APPA Forum will take place virtually from July 12 to 13, 2022 and will be hosted by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, Hong Kong, China.
Further reading
L’Association francophone des autorités de protection des données personnelles [Francophone association of data protection authorities]
Lead Sector: Policy and Promotion Sector
Purpose
- The aim of the Association francophone des autorités de protection des données personnelles (AFAPDP) is to help its members more effectively promote and apply the right to personal data protection and encourage sharing of best practices.
Background
- The AFAPDP was founded in 2007 by Francophone data protection authorities and the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF). AFAPDP members meet once per year to approve financial statements and annual reports, pass resolutions on privacy related matters and vote on membership requests.
Current OPC Participation
- The OPC is a founding member of the AFAPDP and takes part in its annual general meetings. However, the AFAPDP has not been very active in recent years and has not met since 2019.
- The AFAPDP sometimes seeks the OPC’s expertise to organize training for member authorities.
Strategic Goals
- The AFAPDP plays an important role in building its members’ capacities. By taking part in the AFAPDP’s annual meetings and workshops, the OPC applies its knowledge and expertise for the benefit of this organization to promote the recognition of privacy as a fundamental right.
Further reading
Common Thread Network (CTN)
Lead Sector: Policy and Promotion Sector
Purpose
- The Common Thread Network (CTN) is a peer-learning forum for data protection and privacy authorities of Commonwealth countries to share information to promote good privacy practices that assist socio-economic development.
Background
- Formed in 2013, CTN hosts quarterly meetings where one or two members provide jurisdictional updates. Presentations may also be provided by other Commonwealth groups, such as the Commonwealth Secretariat. The United Kingdom Information Commissioner’s Office provides the Secretariat function for CTN.
Current OPC Participation
- CTN meetings are attended by the Deputy Commissioner, Policy and Promotion and a Senior Policy and Research Analyst from the Policy, Research and Parliamentary Affairs Directorate.
- The OPC provided a jurisdictional update at the September 23, 2021 meeting of CTN.
Strategic Goals
- CTN provides a forum for the OPC to share our experiences with newly established privacy authorities and learn from other members about their best practices.
Next steps
- The next CTN meeting is expected to take place in July 2022; the OPC will not provide a jurisdictional update.
Further reading
