The Protection of Personal Data and Privacy in a Globalised World: A Universal Right Respecting Diversities ("Montreux Declaration")

At the 27th International Conference of Data Protection and Privacy Commissioners, the Commissioners issued the Montreux Declaration in which they expressed their concern, inter alia, over disparities between different legal systems in relation to the protection of data protection and privacy. They also stated that the right to data protection and privacy ?is an essential condition in a democratic society in order to safeguard the respect for the rights of the people, a free flow of information and an open market economy.? The Commissioners agreed to the following goals: ?(a) to intensify in particular the exchange of information, the coordination of their supervisory activities, the development of common standards, the promotion of information concerning the activities and resolutions of this conference; (b) to promote cooperation with countries which do not yet have independent supervisory data protection authorities; (c) to promote the exchange of information with international Non Governmental Organisations which are dealing with data protection and privacy; (d) to collaborate with the data protection officers of organizations; (e) to create a permanent website in particular as a common base for information and resources management.? The Commissioners also appealed, inter alia, ?to international and supra-national organisations to commit themselves to complying with principles that are compatible with the principal international instruments dealing with data protection and privacy?? and ?to hardware and software manufacturers to develop products and systems integrating privacy enhancing technologies.? Also at this conference, the Commissioners released a Resolution on the use of biometrics in passports, identity cards and travel documents, which calls for ?(1)effective safeguards to be implemented at an early stage to limit the risks inherent to the nature of biometrics, (2) the strict distinction between biometric data collected and stored for public purposes (e.g. border control) on the basis of legal obligations and for contractual purposes on the basis of consent, (3) the technical restriction of the use of biometrics in passports and identity cards to verification purposes comparing the data in the document with the data provided by the holder when presenting the document.?