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Term: Convention 108

Convention 108 is the first international agreement addressing the protection and cross-border flow of personal data. It is a binding agreement that requires countries to create laws that protect people’s personal information.


What Is Convention 108?

Convention 108 is an international agreement that different countries have agreed to follow. It is a binding agreement that requires countries to create laws that protect people’s personal information. These laws are meant to make sure that personal information is collected, used, and shared in a fair and safe way, so that people’s privacy is protected.


Why is Convention 108 important?

Convention 108’s significance lies in several areas:

  • Broad Scope: Convention 108 is not restricted to member states of the Council of Europe. Any country can accede to it, making its influence more widespread.
  • Cross-border Data Flow: It addresses the challenges of cross-border data transfers, ensuring that personal data can flow between countries that provide a similar level of protection.
  • Promotion of Fundamental Rights: It emphasizes the importance of upholding fundamental human rights, particularly the right to privacy, in the age of information.
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