Information Policy

Secretary Blinken Announces Next Steps for Creating a Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy at the Department of State

On October 27, 2021, Secretary of State Antony Blinken formally announced plans to modernize and reorient American diplomacy to meet the evolving demands of the 21st century. The State Department, in consultation with governmental and outside experts, and with the support of Congress, intends to establish a new Bureau for Cyberspace and Digital Policy (“Bureau”), as well as name a new special envoy for critical and emerging technology at the Department.

National Centre for Personal Data Protection established in Belarus

Its establishment is stipulated by Decree No. 422 ‘On Measures to Improve the Protection of Personal Data’, which President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko signed on October 28th. The document was issued in development of the norms of the law No. 99-3 of May 7th, 2021 ‘On the Protection of Personal Data’

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In accordance with the decree, the national centre is endowed with the status of an authorised body for the protection of the rights of subjects of personal data. Its basic rights, tasks, functions and powers have been determined.
In particular, the centre is empowered to verify compliance with the legislation on personal data, to issue written demands (orders) to eliminate identified violations, to demand the termination of the processing of personal data if it is impossible to protect the rights of subjects of personal data by other means.
Moreover, the decree establishes additional measures related to the protection of personal data. This is, for example, the need to undergo special training for persons whose duties include the protection of personal data; the obligation to keep records of personal data subject to processing by state bodies and other organisations.

Source: https://www.sb.by/en/national-centre-for-personal-data-protection-established-in-belarus.html

YouTube account of Belarus' Investigative Committee BLOCKED, spokeswoman reveals

By Jonny Tickle

Google, the parent company of the world's most popular online video-sharing platform YouTube, has blocked the official channel of Belarus' Investigative Committee, the agency's official representative revealed on Tuesday.

Continue reading "YouTube account of Belarus' Investigative Committee BLOCKED, spokeswoman reveals " »

The City of Manila and Microsoft today began a partnership agreement to drive innovation and accelerate digital transformation in the Philippines capital city, potentially empowering more than two million citizens for the digital age.

The Freedom Online Coalition (FOC), a group of countries working together to advance human rights and fundamental freedoms online, has welcomed Luxembourg into its Coalition as its 34th member. Luxembourg has pledged to work collaboratively with the Coalition’s membership as well as uphold and advance the FOC’s shared goals and values as stated in the Founding Declaration and the Tallinn Recommendations for Freedom Online.

City of Manila Launches Digital Partnership with Microsoft

The City of Manila and Microsoft today began a partnership agreement to drive innovation and accelerate digital transformation in the Philippines capital city, potentially empowering more than two million citizens for the digital age.

Freedom Online Coalition Welcomes Luxembourg as its 34th Member

The Freedom Online Coalition (FOC), a group of countries working together to advance human rights and fundamental freedoms online, has welcomed Luxembourg into its Coalition as its 34th member. Luxembourg has pledged to work collaboratively with the Coalition’s membership as well as uphold and advance the FOC’s shared goals and values as stated in the Founding Declaration and the Tallinn Recommendations for Freedom Online.