Polish EU Presidency Wants Larger Role in ITU's Regulatory Work on Data Protection, AI
Poland wants closer ties with the ITU as the nation begins its EU Council presidency (Jan. 1 - June 30), Secretary of State Michal Gramatyka, Ministry for Digital Affairs, said at the recent Data Protection Day conference in Brussels. This initiative has implications for privacy and data protection issues and policies, Gramatyka wrote in an email Friday.
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Beyond its infrastructure-related work, the ITU plays a significant role in cybersecurity and privacy, Gramatyka said. For example, it develops guidelines for data protection and network security, which helps member countries implement consistent and effective security strategies.
ITU standards for encryption, data management and response to cyberthreats help countries better protect their citizens and key telecom systems, which is particularly critical given the increase in cyberspace threats, Gramatyka said. "International cooperation in this area enables faster response to new attacks and more effective prevention measures."
The ITU is also developing regulations concerning the ethical use of AI and Big Data, the minister said. "Countries collaborating with the organization can participate in shaping rules that ensure appropriate privacy protection in the digital world." In addition, the ITU supports efforts to fight cybercrime, disinformation and data manipulation, which are crucial for the stability of information systems worldwide.
For ITU members, cooperation isn't just about gaining access to international regulations, but also "having a real impact on shaping global telecommunications and digital standards," Gramatyka told us. In an era where digital technology touches almost every aspect of life, involvement in defining these principles "is becoming crucial" from a technological perspective and for citizens' security and economic stability.
Stronger cooperation with the ITU aligns with one of the four digital priorities of Poland's EU Presidency, that of reinforcing the EU's role in international forums that develop global digital standards, Gramatyka added. The most pressing privacy issues are new technologies and processing personal data for digital services, he said during the data protection conference.