Latest news with #DesHogan
Irish Times
2 hours ago
- Health
- Irish Times
Toolkit addresses ‘paralysis' in sharing information on vulnerable adults between healthcare organisations
The Data Protection Commission (DPC) has launched an adult safeguarding 'toolkit' to address misunderstandings about how to protect the data of at-risk adults in health and social care settings. The introduction of the General Data Protection Regulation ( GDPR ) has caused 'paralysis' where people are concerned that they shouldn't share data even if they can, DPC chairman and commissioner for data protection Des Hogan said. For example, residential care centres may not receive relevant health information about prospective residents, leading to 'a whole suite of issues that would unfold once the resident is already settled in there', said Bibiana Savin, chief executive of Sage Advocacy . Ms Savin further outlined misunderstandings relating to the gathering of a vulnerable adult's data from cameras and recording devices, and family members' rights to request data on behalf of their loved one. READ MORE Under GDPR, sensitive data can be shared where there is consent, in performance of a contract, to comply with a legal obligation and for vital, public or legitimate interests. In April 2024, the Law Reform Commission proposed a new law on adult safeguarding to address a gap in the regulatory framework. 'There's a lack of positive obligations and clear legal basis for data sharing,' said David Murphy, deputy commissioner of the DPC. Positive obligations are typically duties imposed on official bodies to take specific actions to protect individuals' fundamental rights. While clear positive obligations to share data in this context are being developed, the DPC's new toolkit aims to avoid blockages in how information flows between systems where there is a legal basis for sharing personal data. 'We would like to change the mindset, to factoring in 'What harms could arise to the individual if I don't share their data',' Mr Murphy said. The DPC defines vulnerable adults broadly, including individuals suffering from physical or mental conditions, children with additional needs reaching the age of majority, people subject to domestic violence or coercive control, experiencing homelessness, financial abuse or trafficking. [ Abusers using data protection law to get details on victims Opens in new window ] The toolkit follows the DPC's work on safeguarding children's data and expands the focus to a wide range of vulnerable groups in society. The commission has been engaging with various stakeholders in the social care and health systems for the past two years to develop the toolkit. Mr Hogan said at the launch on Thursday, 'we need to get away from this paternalism which has permeated our society for an awful long period of time ... into the position where we are defending and protecting rights'. 'As we move our way into a new digital world, it is just so important that we get this right,' he said.
RTÉ News
a day ago
- Health
- RTÉ News
New toolkit for protecting data of vulnerable adults
The Data Protection Commission (DPC) has launched a new 'Adult Safeguarding Toolkit' to provide organisations and individuals with guidance and resources to protect the personal data of vulnerable adults. The toolkit offers a guide on how to collect, use, store, and share data related to vulnerable adults, while adhering to the principles of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. It includes practical advice, templates, and examples to help organisations implement effective data protection measures. Commissioners for Data Protection Des Hogan and Dale Sunderland emphasised at the toolkit's launch the importance of society recognising the safeguarding needs of vulnerable adults. "We know how vulnerable adults can face unique challenges in protecting their personal data and with this new toolkit which we are delighted to launch today, organisations now have the necessary tools and knowledge to safeguard this information and ensure the rights of vulnerable individuals are respected at all times," they said. The DPC developed the toolkit through collaboration with groups in the safeguarding sector including the HSE, Sage Advocacy, and Safeguarding Ireland. "The toolkit will help organisations working with at-risk adults, particularly in health and social care settings. "It will help staff make confident decisions around data protection, including data sharing, based on an informed assessment of risk, and guided by their own professional expertise social care services and knowledge," DPC Deputy Commissioner David Murphy said. The launch was attended by representatives from healthcare providers, social care organisations, legal professionals, and advocacy groups.
RTÉ News
10-07-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Irish data watchdog opens fresh probe into TikTok
The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) has announced that it has opened an inquiry into TikTok's transfers of European users' personal data to servers located in China. The investigation follows on from the DPC's decision of 30 April 2025, which also looked at the company's transfers of personal data to China under a separate inquiry. The DPC said that during that previous inquiry, TikTok maintained that transfers of European users' personal data to China took place by way of remote access only and that this user data was not stored on servers located within China. However, in April 2025, TikTok informed the DPC of an issue that it had discovered in February 2025, that limited European user data had in fact been stored on servers in China, contrary to TikTok's evidence to the previous inquiry. In a statement issued at the time of the conclusion of its previous inquiry, the DPC stated that it was taking those developments "very seriously" and was "considering what further regulatory action may be warranted, in consultation with our peer EU Data Protection Authorities". As a result of that consideration, the DPC has now decided to open this new inquiry into TikTok. The decision was taken by the Commissioners for Data Protection, Dr Des Hogan and Dale Sunderland, and was notified to TikTok earlier this week. The purpose of the inquiry is to determine whether TikTok has complied with its relevant obligations under the GDPR in the context of the transfers now at issue, including the lawfulness of the transfers. Following the previous investigation, the DPC fined TikTok €530 million. The video-sharing platform said it disagreed with the decision and that it planned to appeal it in full.
Irish Examiner
10-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Ireland's data commissioner launches new investigation into TikTok
The Data Protection Commission has opened a new inquiry into TikTok over the storage of European users' data on servers in China, following "deep concern" that TikTok submitted inaccurate information to a previous investigation. TikTok, owned by China's ByteDance, was in May fined €530m by the Irish commissioner over the transfer of European user data to China. The decision to commence the inquiry was taken by the commissioners for data protection, Des Hogan and Dale Sunderland, and was notified to TikTok earlier this week. Ireland's Data Protection Commission is the lead regulator in the EU as it is registered in Ireland as its HQ in the bloc. The new inquiry will look specifically at the storage of data by TikTok. A statement from the DPC said: "In April 2025, TikTok informed the DPC of an issue that it had discovered in February 2025, namely that limited EEA user data had in fact been stored on servers in China, contrary to TikTok's evidence to the previous inquiry. "The DPC's decision, which issued following the inquiry cooperation procedure with peer EU regulators under the GDPR One Stop Shop mechanism, expressed its deep concern that TikTok had submitted inaccurate information to that inquiry. At the time of the conclusion of that inquiry, the DPC stated that it was taking those developments 'very seriously' and was ;'considering what further regulatory action may be warranted, in consultation with our peer EU Data Protection Authorities'. As a result of that consideration, the DPC has now decided to open this new inquiry into TikTok." The purpose of the inquiry is to determine whether TikTok has complied with its relevant obligations under the GDPR in the context of the transfers now at issue, including the lawfulness of the transfers. The investigation will look at TikTok's GDPR obligations regarding accountability, transparency information in relation to third country transfers, obligation to cooperate with the supervisory authority, and compliance with the relevant requirements for third country transfers.
Hans India
20-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
WhatsApp Begins Global Rollout of Ads, but EU Opts Out Until 2026
Meta has taken a significant step in monetising WhatsApp by rolling out advertisements across the app globally, except in the European Union. This change, announced on June 16, marks a pivotal shift for the world's most-used messaging platform, which long positioned itself as ad-free. The ads will now be visible in the Updates tab, specifically within Status—WhatsApp's version of Instagram Stories. However, for millions of users in the EU, the wait for ads will extend at least until 2026 due to regulatory delays. According to Meta, the new ads will not interfere with personal messaging. 'We believe the Updates tab is the right place for these new features,' WhatsApp clarified in a blog post. The ads will appear alongside updates from friends and family but will not intrude into personal chats, calls, or group conversations. This subtle placement is designed to balance user experience with Meta's revenue goals. As part of this broader monetisation strategy, Meta is also introducing channel subscriptions and promoted channels. Channel subscriptions will allow creators to offer exclusive content behind a paywall, while promoted channels will be highlighted in the app's Explore section, expanding reach for brands and content creators alike. Interestingly, users in the European Union won't see these ads just yet. Ireland's Data Protection Commission (DPC), which oversees Meta's EU operations, has confirmed that WhatsApp's ad model will not go live in the region before 2026. 'That new product won't be launching in the EU market until 2026. We have been informed by WhatsApp,' said Des Hogan, the Irish Data Protection Commissioner. The delay stems from concerns over compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), one of the world's strictest privacy laws. For users outside the EU—including India—the ads will be personalised with limited data. Meta will use location (city and country), language, and user interaction with channels to tailor content. If users have connected WhatsApp to the Meta Accounts Center, their ad preferences from Facebook and Instagram may also influence what they see. However, Meta insists that it's safeguarding user privacy. The company reiterated that it will not use private messages, calls, or group activity for ad targeting. These remain fully encrypted, and phone numbers won't be shared with advertisers. The timing of this rollout is bold, especially as Meta faces an ongoing antitrust lawsuit in the U.S. The integration of ad systems across its platforms—WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook—is under scrutiny, with critics arguing it reflects Meta's unchecked market power. Nonetheless, the shift signals a new chapter for WhatsApp. With 1.5 billion daily users, Meta sees enormous revenue potential. Having earned over $160 billion in ad revenue last year, the addition of WhatsApp to its ad portfolio could significantly boost earnings. Yet, it also raises questions about the future of private, clutter-free communication on the app.
