Home | Databases | WorldLII | Search | Feedback Privacy Laws and Business International Report

Editorial [1999] PLBIRp 36; (1999) 50 Privacy Laws and Business International Report 1

Editorial

Covering privacy laws worldwide is an ambitious concept. In this 50th edition, we continue to monitor, as we have since 1987, many ongoing and new privacy issues. Ongoing issues include the latest UK and US positions on legally permissible export of personal data from the European Union (pp. 3, 6); employee data (p. 8); and Sweden's Direct Marketing Association's privacy guidelines (p.13). New issues include the OECD's privacy policy generator (p. 5), an initiative designed to help any organisation provide its website visitors with a credible privacy policy. In the future, international sectoral codes of practice will take an increasingly important role (p. 10). Major industries realise the usefulness of codes as a way to make the complex EU Data Protection Directive apply to them in a meaningful way, and to gain the collective approval of all the EU's Member States' Privacy Commissioners.

There is little consensus on the privacy issues which most need to be regulated. Since 1995, the EU Data Protection Directive has had a considerably broader scope than that of the Council of Europe Convention and the OECD Guidelines. In EU countries, personal data now means any name-linked data in any accessible format. Outside the EU, many managers find this Directive's legal approach excessive. Some assurance can be given by privacy audits (pp. 8, 21).

You, our subscribers in over 20 countries, will continue to gain practical benefits by receiving authoritative information closely attuned to your needs. As part of your newsletter package, you may choose the texts of national laws, and use the Helpline either to gather facts or to ask our advice. My thanks go to subscribers, everyone who provides information and expertise, and my colleagues who translate the concept into reality.

Stewart Dresner, Director

PRIVACY LAWS & BUSINESS