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home > Media services > Press releases > 3rd Annual Data Protection Day 3rd Annual Data Protection Day - Surf the Net, Think Privacy: Making the internet a safer place for European citizens BRUSSELS, Belgium – 28 January 2009 —Today, Microsoft is pleased to take part in the 3rd annual Data Protection Day, hosted by Sophie in’t Veld, MEP, at the European Parliament in Brussels. Data Protection Day aims to raise awareness about data protection and privacy and address growing concerns surrounding online activity, bringing together the Council of Europe, the European Commission, European Parliamentarians and partners from across Europe. Data Protection Day aims to increase cooperation and education efforts by stakeholders from across many sectors in Europe, such as Data Protection authorities, MEPs, NGOs, European Schoolnet (EUN), Education Ministries from 31 European countries, and Microsoft. The European Commission was represented by Vice President Jacques Barrot, responsible for Justice, Freedom and Security, who delivered the keynote speech.This year, Data Protection Day focused on engaging young European citizens about personal data protection and privacy, as well as their day-to-day rights and responsibilities. At the event, a panel discussion paid special attention to the use of new technologies amongst young adults. Through several specialized sessions with leading speakers, participants learned more about privacy protection for youth on the internet, so that they can use the internet to learn and grow, without having to fear any infringements of their rights. The winner of the “Surf the net – think Privacy” competition – a pan-European video competition run by EUN and powered by Microsoft that invited young people from 15 to 19 to express their views and concerns about online privacy – was also announced. The winning entry was from Ilinca Razvan, Alexandru Coman and Cosmin Bogdan from Romania, with their video “ID”, which showcased how ‘public’ one’s identity can become online. Of the over 70 creative short films by youth (with the help of their teachers and schools) from 16 European countries, the jury felt that their video effectively raised important concerns over vulnerabilities of online activities. John Vasallo, Microsoft Vice President of EU Affairs, commented that “this is a fabulous opportunity: to ensure privacy means giving people control over the use of their personal information through innovative technology and to educate young Europeans as well as policymakers to some of the threats they encounter online. Working together, the coalition you see today is changing the way e-skills education is done in Europe. I would like to congratulate all the video competition participants for their contributions, which the judges, all data protection experts, found very inspirational.” Marc Durando, Executive Director of EUN, agreed that “This is an important initiative in helping people understand the risks of online behaviour. By working with schools, teachers, and students, we are creating a framework which allows everyone to benefit as much as possible from the amazing opportunities of the internet. On a personal note, it was invigorating to see so many exceptional entries in the video competition. The entries highlight many important issues that are being discussed at today’s event. European citizens can greatly benefit from having more information on how best to protect their privacy while enjoying all the benefits of a connected world.” The panellists included Sophie in’t Veld, MEP; Marc Durando, the Executive Director of EUN; Leif Stenström, the Information Officer at the Swedish data protection agency; Ambassador Torbjörn Fröysnes, Representative of the Secretary General, Director of the Council of Europe Liaison Office with the European Union; Dr. Gus Hosein of Privacy International; John Vassallo, Vice-President EU Affairs of Microsoft; Richard Galvin from the European School Brussels; Imke Leenders of the Dutch Youth Council; Madi Sharma, a Member of the European Economic and Social Committee; and Peter Hustinx, the European Data Protection Supervisor. About Microsoft Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realise their full potential. Through different IT training and grants programs, Microsoft is supporting its ecosystem, the companies offering products that run on Microsoft software or that service and distribute such software. This ecosystem employs almost 2.5 million people in Europe, representing over a third of IT employment in Europe in 2005 was part of the Microsoft ecosystem. To support the ecosystem Microsoft has invested in Technology Centres for ISV development to provide local ICT industries with technical, marketing and business guidance from software engineers. These centres exist in Denmark, Croatia, Spain and the Netherlands. Through the Emerging Business programme, Microsoft engage with the 300 venture-capitalist backed businesses in Europe and provide inexpensive licensing of Microsoft technology to start-ups. The programme has over 6,500 partners. Microsoft license some of the technologies developed to smaller companies which can exploit their commercial potential. These Microsoft IP Ventures have already been launched with 3 National Development Agency agreements: Enterprise Ireland, Sitra (Finland), Ministry of Science and Technology (Denmark.). Microsoft is also part of the European Union Grants Advisor helping SMEs and entrepreneurs to submit their request for grants, with over 130 companies and agencies now partnering in EUGA, including Intel & HP. In 2007, EUGA impacted 113,832 companies. 5,000 jobs have been created by awarded EUGA projects. About Microsoft Europe Microsoft has operated in Europe since 1982. In the region Microsoft employs more than 12,000 people in over 55 subsidiaries, delivering products and services. Press contacts Microsoft contacts, press only: Jesse Verstraete Phone: +32 2 550 06 37 E-mail: jesse.verstraete@microsoft.com Beatrice Flammini Phone: +32 2 234 6210 E-mail: beatriceflammini@gpluseurope.com About the Participants Sophie In’t Veld, Member of European Parliament Sophie in ´t Veld (41) is the new, young, dynamic representative in the European Parliament for the Dutch social-liberal party D66. Although she is in her first term as Member of Parliament, Sophie already knows the inner workings of European politics. Before she was elected, In ´t Veld was for several years secretary general of the ELDR-group in the Committee of the Regions. Born in 1963 (Vollenhove, the Netherlands) In ´t Veld lived from the age of seven, after a three year long stay in Surinam, in the Dutch cities of the Hague and Delft. After her university-level study in medieval history, Sophie worked as freelancer in private companies and public institutions. From 1993 she worked as assistant to former MEP Johanna Boogerd. Sophie is married and lives in Brussels. Marc Durando, Executive Director of European Schoolnet (EUN) Marc Durando is responsible for the overall strategy, operation and development of all activities of the EUN Office. Marc is a civil servant from the French Ministry of Education (at the Institut National Polytechnique de Lorraine), he previously served as Director of two European Commission’s Technical Assistance Offices: COMETT and SOCRATES & YOUTH for DG EAC. Before joining European Schoolnet he was working in the Pôle Universitaire Européen de Lorraine as Director of development. He developed European projects in the field of education and training and provided consultancy services in the area of European cooperation in education and training. Peter Hustinx, European Data Protection Supervisor Peter Hustinx is the European Data Protection Supervisor. He is responsible for monitoring the processing of personal data by the Community institutions and bodies in cooperation with the Data Protection Officers present in each Community institution or body. Peter is a member of the Article 29 Working Party. Dr. Gus Hosein, Privacy International Dr Hosein is a visiting Fellow in the Information Systems and Innovation Group in the Department of Management at the London School of Economics and Political Science. Dr Hosein is also Senior Fellow at Privacy International, and a Visiting Scholar at the American Civil Liberties Union project on Technology and Liberty. In 2006 he and his colleague Simon Davies co-founded the LSE-funded Policy Engagement Network. PEN is currently running projects on internet governance, identity policy, and constitutional change. Dr Hosein also consults for governmental and inter-governmental institutions. Dr. Hosein is a Chartered Fellow of the British Computer Society, and a Chartered IT Professional (FBCS CITP). I have a degree in Mathematics B.Math (Hons) from the University of Waterloo in Canada, an MSc in Information Systems Security, and a PhD in technology policy and regulation from the University of London.
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