During the COVID-19 pandemic, data has been valuable when monitoring the spread of the virus, containing it, and beyond. However, its widespread use raises concerns among privacy and data protection experts, both within and outside the UN system.
Joint Statement on Data Protection and Privacy in Response to COVID-19
With UN entities noting the urgent need for guidance on the privacy-protected use of data, the UN Privacy Policy Group (UNPPG) developed the Joint Statement on Data Protection and Privacy in Response to COVID-19.
The statement was issued and endorsed by the UN organizations noted above on 19 November to reinforce the UN’s commitment to using data and technology in a way that respects the right to privacy and other human rights.
It helps inform and guide the global response to COVID-19 across the UN system.
The statement aligns with the UN Principles on Personal Data Protection and Privacy, the Secretary-General’s Call to Action for Human Rights, as well as the Secretary-General’s Data Strategy.
Although it aims to address the challenges of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the Statement can serve as a precedent for using data to respond to future emergencies in a way that preserves fundamental human rights and freedoms.
About the UN Privacy Policy Group
Established in 2016, the UN Privacy Policy Group is an inter-agency group co-chaired by UN Global Pulse and the Office of Information and Communications Technology (OICT).
Its primary objective is to unite efforts on data privacy and data protection across the UN and build the capacity of organizations for responsible data sharing and processing.
UN Principles of Data Protection and Privacy
The UN Principles on Personal Data Protection and Privacy set out a basic framework for processing “personal data” by, or on behalf of, the UN system organizations in carrying out their mandated activities.
They were created by the UNPPG and adopted by the UN system in 2018.
