PH to support int’l system for data protection interoperability

MANILA – The National Privacy Commission (NPC) on Wednesday said the Philippines will support the establishment of the Global Cross-Border Privacy Rules (CBPR) Forum for the interoperability of different regulatory approaches to data privacy and protection across the world.

In a statement, NPC Commissioner John Henry Naga welcomed the Philippines’ involvement in “improving cross-border data flows and fostering innovation without compromising effective data protection and privacy.”

“The Global CBPR Forum’s goal of promoting worldwide expansion and uptake of the Global CBPR and Privacy Recognition for Processors (PRP) Systems is aligned with the NPC’s vision of upholding the right to privacy and data protection while ensuring free flow of information,” Naga said.

In its declaration, the Global CBPR Forum intends to establish an international certification system based on the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CBPR and PRP systems.

However, the forum’s system will be independently administered and is separate from the APEC systems.

The forum will conduct a periodical review of data protection and privacy standards of members as well as a forum for information exchange and cooperation to ensure that the program is aligned with “best practices.”

“Participating economies in the APEC CBPR System plan to transition operations of the APEC CBPR and PRP Systems to the Global CBPR Forum and will provide at least 30 days’ notice to Accountability Agents,” the declaration read.

All approved accountability agents and certified companies, it said, will automatically be recognized in the new Global CBPR Forum based on the same terms of recognition under the APEC CBPR and PRP systems.

“The Global CBPR Forum is open for the participation of jurisdictions that accept its objectives and principles,” the declaration read.

The Philippines has been a member of the APEC CBPR system since March 2020, a voluntary and accountability-based system that requires organizations to develop and implement privacy policies and practices for all personal information that they have collected or received that is subject to cross-border transfer to other participating APEC members.