Privacy protection/digital services/press freedom

WE are living in a “crazy” world. Just look at the three issues I am highlighting today:

Privacy and the CBPR System: The Path Forward

GIVEN the deep interest of the Philippine private sector, specifically the BPO industry, and the National Privacy Commission (NPC) in becoming an active and constructive player in the personal and sensitive data flow across international borders, it was exciting to participate in a multistakeholder workshop on the above subject in the US from 26 to 28 April last week.

We, who are seriously involved and global cooperation in data privacy protection and making full use of the Data Flows Regulation

CBPR System (Cross Border Privacy Rules), watched the proceedings with deep interest. It became obvious that the NPC has to do its homework regarding the APEC CBPR and the possible GLOBAL CBPR and needs to appoint local Accountability Agents (A As), who—in turn, will have to join the global AA organizations.

Big regulation

THE EU is sick and tired of the mysteries at the heart of Big Tech platforms. The Verge has a great rundown of a handful of things mandated in the new Digital Services Act:

■ Goodbye targeted advertising based on religion, ethnicity, or gender… and don’t even think about targeting kids.

■ Say farewell to “dark patterns,” confusing user interfaces (UIS) that subconsciously direct a user toward something they wouldn’t typically click. For example, companies need to make it as easy to cancel a subscription as it is to start one.

■ Recommender algorithms (News Feed on Facebook, For You on Tiktok, Suggested Shows on Netf lix) will need to be transparent to users.

■ And platforms will be required to have a plan in place for dealing with misinformation during a crisis—a late addition inspired by the war in Ukraine.

If companies don’t follow the provisions, they could face fines of up to 6 percent of annual revenue made in the EU. According to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, “It gives practical effect to the principle that what is illegal offline, should be illegal online. The greater the size, the greater the responsibilities of online platforms.”

Talk about not mincing words.

Freedom of the Press

ON March 5, 1965, a letter from Paul Sethe read: “Freedom of the press is the freedom of 200 rich people to express their opinions. He who is rich is free.” The publicist, once co-editor of a German leading newspaper, was referring to German newspapers and their owners. Today, 57 years and a few waves of globalization later, one has to apply “free equals rich” to 200 billionaires in the Western world. Their names are Rupert Murdoch, John Elkann and Bernard Arnault (from the old guard) or Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Larry Page, Tim Cook, Robin Li and Pony Ma (from the new guard).

And since earlier this week also Elon Musk, software genius, who makes headlines with Tesla, Spacex and Neuralink, and his new acquisition of Twitter. Freedom of the press in 2022 means being your own spin doctor.