28 January – Data Protection Day

January 28 is celebrated around the world as Data Protection Day. On this date in 1981, the Council of Europe adopted the Convention for the Protection of Individuals with regard to Automatic Processing of Personal Data (Convention No. 108). The purpose of this day is to emphasize the importance of protecting personal data, to draw attention to the obligations of owners and operators of personal data, as well as to the rights of their actors.

Azerbaijan joined this Convention of the Council of Europe in 2009. The Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan “On Personal Data”, which regulates the collection, processing and protection of personal data at the national level, was adopted in 2010.

Taking into account the international experience, legal reforms in this area continue. A high-level working group has been formed with the participation of representatives of the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, as well as other responsible government agencies, and a new draft law has been prepared.

The Electronic Security Service under the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport also regularly conducts awareness-raising activities in this direction.

It should be noted that the Electronic Security Service is an executive authority and a coordinating body, which takes measures in cases of illegal collection, processing and insecurity of personal data.

The organization also considers complaints from entities whose rights have been violated in this area. The official website of the organization www.cert.az  has an electronic application form “Report a violation of personal data” for citizens.