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Mission

The “Spring Conference” stands as the annual gathering for all data protection authorities across European states, both within and outside the EEA. Each year, a diverse member of the Conference takes the lead in hosting this pivotal event.

The mission of the Spring Conference encompasses:

  • Addressing Common Interests: Tackling issues of mutual concern, emerging trends, and innovative developments in the realm of privacy and data protection. This pertains to the European context, with a global outlook to consider relevant developments worldwide, thereby informing European progress.
  • Reflecting Pan-European Membership: Echoing the pan-European composition of its membership, the Conference aims to fortify relationships among regulators across Europe, enhancing their capacity to deliberate on communiques or resolutions.
  • Promoting Cooperation: Building collaboration between diverse systems in Europe and the professionals operating within these systems. This pursuit aims to establish an unparalleled regional data privacy ecosystem.
  • Emphasis on Practical Exchange: Concentrating on the practical exchange and discussion of best practices in the development and implementation of policies and privacy-related legislation. Additionally, a focus on stakeholder engagement activities aims to empower Data Protection Authorities (DPAs) in effectively fulfilling their mandate.
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Steering committee

About the Group

The European Conference of Data Protection Authorities stands as the annual meeting for independent data protection authorities across European states, both within and outside the EEA, to provide a forum for cooperation, to tackle issues of mutual concerns and exchange of best practice in the field of privacy and data protection.

The Conference consists of the Annual Plenary, the Steering Group and Sub-Groups. In May 2022, the Conference mandated the establishment of an Interim Steering Group to update the Rules and Procedures to reflect the proposed Mission and the Vision of the Conference and also to create a permanent Steering Group, to describe the role and mission of such Group, and to clarify the Conference Accreditation Rules. This Interim Steering Group paved the way for the creation of a permanent Steering Group of the Spring Conference, which was officially established in May 2023. Hence, the mandate of the Interim Steering Group ended in May 2023.

 

Membership

The permanent Steering Group comprises up to 8 members: the previous, current and future Conference hosts and (optionally) the current host of the European Case Handling Workshop (ECHW), plus up to four ordinary seats. To provide balance and continuity to the Steering Group, ordinary seats serve for three years, unless they wish to step down.

Since May 2023, the following members occupy the available seats of the Steering Group:

Type of Participation Respective Data Protection Authority
Conference Plenary host in 2023 Hungary - National Authority for Data Protection and Freedom of Information
Conference Plenary host in 2024 Latvia - Data State Inspectorate
Conference Plenary host in 2025 Georgia - Personal Data Protection Service*
Host of the European Case-Handling Workshop in 2023** Switzerland - Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner
Ordinary seat Bulgaria - Commission for Personal Data Protection
Ordinary seat Cyprus - Commissioner for Personal Data Protection
Ordinary seat Personal Data Protection Service (Coordinator)
Ordinary seat United Kingdom - Information Commissioner's Office

Coordinator

Per the Rules and Procedures of the Conference, the position is agreed upon by consensus annually by the Members of the Group itself and announced to the Conference. The Personal Data Protection Service of Georgia volunteered as a candidate for the Coordinator role.

With the support and upon the decisions of the Steering Group Members, in 2023, the Personal Data Protection Service of Georgia was appointed and announced as a Coordinator of the Steering Group.

 


* Note: In 2023, the Data Protection Authority of Iceland occupied the seat as a host authority of the 33rd edition of the Spring Conference, but later, the authority stepped down and was replaced by the new host of the plenary in 2025.

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Host authority

Welcome Letter from the President of the Personal Data Protection Service of Georgia

 

Dear Members and Observers of the Conference,

Dear Colleagues,

Personal Data Protection Service of Georgia is honored to host the 33rd European Conference of Data Protection Authorities in the seaside town of Batumi. We are excited to offer you an opportunity to explore the rich culture, history, and natural beauty of our country, while providing a collaborative environment and an outstanding experience. We strive to facilitate insightful discussions, exchange best practices, host engaging session and provide exclusive networking opportunities.

As we live in a data-driven age where the protection of human rights and freedoms is of utmost i

mportance, I truly believe that data protection authorities stand united in dealing with the existing challenges. In the era of increased technological progress, our mission is to raise the culture of personal data protection and uphold the rights of data subjects. Data protection authorities play a crucial role in this. So, we eagerly anticipate your contribution to the Conference and interesting discussions on the panels.

Our Service strongly prioritizes enhancing international cooperation through platforms that allow the sharing of practical knowledge and the best European practices. To this end, our authority has deepened international partnerships with several counterpart European data protection authorities and obtained observer status to the European Data Protection Board. Georgian data protection authority is committed to strengthening and protecting common European values. Thus, on the path of European integration, we are honoured to host one of the prestigious conferences in the field of data protection and privacy.

Finally, I use this opportunity to extend my warmest invitation and personally welcome each and every one of you to the beautiful city of Batumi.

Dr. Lela Janashvili

President of the Personal Data Protection Service of Georgia
Associate Professor at Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University
Associate Professor at the Autonomous University of Barcelona

 

The Personal Data Protection Service of Georgia will host the 33rd European Conference of Data Protection Authorities (Spring Conference 2025).

 

Who We Are?

The Personal Data Protection Service is an institutionally independent, personal data protection supervisory authority. The main directions of its activities encompass control over the lawfulness of data processing and monitoring of the covert investigative actions and the activities carried out at the central databank of the electronic communication identification data in Georgia. The Service is accountable only to the Parliament of Georgia.

 

Mission

The mission of the Personal Data Protection Service is to establish a culture of respect for private life, raise public awareness in society, and implement European standards for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. In order to harmonize national legislation with international legal instruments and implement the best practice, the Service actively cooperates with foreign counterpart supervisory bodies, international organizations and strives to deepen relations with them.

 

Values

The activity of the Personal Data Protection Service of Georgia is based on the following values and principles: lawfulness, respect for and protection of human rights and freedoms, independence and political neutrality, objectivity and impartiality, professionalism, maintenance of professional secrecy and confidentiality.