Kralendijk, – As of May 25, 2018, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will come into effect for the whole of the European Union (EU). The GDPR applies to all organizations large and small, as well as to independents with no staff (ZZP-ers) who process personal data. Although the current data-privacy legislation will remain in effect on Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, organizations will feel the effects of the new EU legislation. With that in mind, the Data Protection Authority BES (the Authority) will intensify its information efforts as regards the consequences of the GDPR.
From the moment the GDPR comes into effect on May 25, stricter rules will apply to transfer and exchange of personal data to or with countries outside the EU, including Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba. “Many organizations collect and exchange sensitive information with organizations within the EU. It is important for us to be ready by identifying the effects to be expected on Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba as the GDPR comes into force,” according to Roëlla Pourier of the Authority’s secretariat.
Our community and economy have become highly digitized in recent years. While there are many positive aspects to this, it also has its downsides, such as cybercrime, identity fraud, data leaks and economic cybercrime. On account of the high risk of fraud associated with personal data exchanges, the EU has moved to raise their level of privacy protection.
Furthermore, as of May 25, all countries exchanging information with the EU will need to have adequate levels of privacy protection in place. This means that Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba too will need to have privacy regimes in place that are similar to the rules which apply under the GDPR. Although in many respects, the current privacy legislation does comply, additional measures will be required. What these measures are will be explained in a series of information sessions provided by the Authority in the coming months.
Says Pourier: “We are asking organizations to report to the Secretariat any issues they may be experiencing in connection with the privacy legislation, as this will allow us to better tailor our information efforts to the kind of questions they are dealing with.” To report any issues in this regard or for more information about the new European GDPR, please contact Roëlla Pourier of the Secretariat: ro************@ri***********.com; telephone: +599 715 8392.