PRIVACY BUZZ: Online Roundtable Discussion
By: Neil Nepomuceno
May 24, 2023 – Straits Interactive Pte. Ltd, in partnership with Union Bank of the Philippines and Aboitiz Equity Ventures, hosted an online roundtable discussion about data subject rights, and the best practices on data privacy and cybersecurity.
The roundtable discussion was filled with engaging and insightful talks about best practices in Data Privacy, process improvements, and a glimpse of the future with AI automation.
Atty. Mischele Sta. Ana, SAVP and Data Protection Officer for Aboitiz Land, highlighted the importance of making the data privacy statement understandable.
Mischele said, “It is truly a balancing act. In addition to simplifying the data privacy statement, we have to make it lengthy due to the numerous clauses that need to align with the law.”
AVP for Risk Management and Data Privacy Officer for the Pilmico Food Group, Ed Monares, stated that data gathering is beneficial for both their business and the consumers.
“It all begins with awareness. We need to assist our data subjects in being aware that we are utilizing some of their information to provide our consumers with the products they need and to facilitate smooth transactions,” he explained.
Visayan Electric Corporation’s Head of Legal Affairs and Data Protection Officer, Atty. Ernie Villarin, discussed his personal experiences and how personal boundaries have changed compared to the past. As he shared:
“I grew up playing outside with my friends and climbing trees. Nowadays, everyone is either on their phones, laptops, or any mobile devices, which blurs the definition of ‘personal boundaries.’ As an organization, we aim to strike the right balance by returning to the basics: privacy assessment, a concise privacy statement, and, most importantly, we engage with our data subjects, the common ‘Juan,’ and thoroughly explain what it all means.”
AEV’s AVP for Risk Management and Data Protection Officer, Christine Kempeneers, reminded the viewers about the potential of AI making critical business decisions and its impact on their data subjects.
“There are various types of AI. When discussing automated decision making, I believe it is important to inform our data subjects that there will be processes taking place in the backend, particularly if it involves decision-making,” Christine explained.
And last but not the least, UnionBank’s Chief Information Security Officer and Data Protection Officer, Joey Rufo, concluded the roundtable discussion by highlighting the importance of cybersecurity.
“We’ve seen smart cities. With smart cities, everything is measured by sensors. We have CCTVs with facial detection, temperature sensors that can be used to fight crime, and more.
As we delve into the Internet of Things, we gather data, and with more information comes an increase in data points.
I also handle cyber security. We’re talking about trillion of data points daily. That is why it will be more beneficial for all of us to devise a more secure way of gathering data especially with the advent of AI.”
The next roundtable discussion titled “Selyado 5.0: Enjoining UnionBankers and their Families in Protecting their Information” will be held at UnionBank Plaza on June 7, 2023.