alt
Original Language
English
Number of Pages
4
Reference Number
ENG0720
Year of Publication
2019

Data Bulletin: Informing a Global Compact for Migration - Data Protection | Issue No. 18 | January 2019

In the era of data revolution, big data and artificial intelligence, it is widely accepted that the collection and dissemination of migration data can yield many benefits. However, privacy and data protection considerations need to be at the centre of all data discussions, as the risks associated with data processing may be substantial for the data subjects whose personal data is being processed. It is paramount to respect and ensure human dignity and the right to privacy of individuals, a fundamental human right that is not restricted to a country’s own nationals nor to persons with a specific migratory status. This bulletin focuses on issues of data protection – the systematic application of a set of institutional, technical and physical safeguards that preserve the right to privacy with respect to the collection, storage, use, disclosure and any other type of processing of personal data – and argues that protection of personal data of migrants is of fundamental importance, as it is an integral part of protecting their lives, integrity and human dignity.