Balancing Data Privacy and Technology

The Ayala Group Data Privacy Council launched its first lecture series on data privacy and digital trust on August 29. Themed, “Data Privacy and Technology: Balancing the Value of Predictive and Autonomous Technology With Ethical and Regulatory Privacy Practices,” the lecture opened the conversation on building frameworks and policies on ethical use of data and protection of data subjects. In a recorded message, Privacy Commissioner Atty. John Henry Du Naga expressed the national agency’s support for the council’s initiatives.

The Ayala Group Data Privacy Council, together with Ayala’s Data Privacy Office, will continue to spread awareness on data privacy and encourage information sharing, exchange of good practices, and collaboration among organizations in the public and private sectors.

Most are starting to realize that consent is not the end all and be all of privacy, and that a tick box or an ‘I agree’ is not carte blanche for us to do whatever we want with data. And so, as members of the Ayala group, it’s important that we hold ourselves to the highest standard [and] that we hold ourselves accountable to our customers by aiming for increased transparency and observing responsible and ethical data practices.

ATTY. IRISH KRYSTLE SALANDANAN-ALMEIDA
Globe Group Chief Privacy Officer
Ayala Group Data Privacy Council Chair

In order for us to have a culture of privacy in the Philippines, it is a shared responsibility. The regulator can’t do it alone. We need each and every single one of you to help us, and not just within your respective units, not just within the Ayala group. The standards by which you hold your suppliers accountable also help us to have this multiplier effect. So, we really appreciate what every one of you is doing.

ATTY. LEANDRO ANGELO Y. AGUIRRE
Deputy Commissioner National Privacy Commission

Data is the fuel of AI. So, we need to invest in proper data management, making sure that the data we use to train the AI models are high quality. [….] And by governance, we want to push for clear guidelines and policies; this includes transparency and accountability.

JAMES FAELDON
AC Data Solutions Head

Because AI is the power for creative destruction, it’s important that we ‘start with human’ and ‘end with human.’ […] Technology is just there to make it efficient, to make it equitable, to make it sustainable […] What’s more important is we measure ourselves if the technology we did actually improved the quality of life in the Philippines.

JENNIFER JANE ECHAVERRIA
Globe Enterprise Data and Strategic Services Head

There’s many layers [of laws] here that need to be taken into consideration. […] And the big question now is: How do companies navigate this massive, complex matrix of laws?

ATTY. ANNA GAMVROS
A&O Shearman Partner and Head, Asia Pacific Privacy and Cyber

One of the unique features of the India DPDPA [...] is consent. [And] consent has to be free, specific, informed, and conditional, with clear affirmative action. They also introduced this concept of a consent manager, which refers to an entity who acts as a single point of contact for individuals who manage their consent.

RUBY KWOK
A&O Shearman Senior Associate