About RIPD

The Ibero-American Data Protection Network (RIPD), arises on the occasion of the agreement reached at the Ibero-American Meeting on Data Protection held in La Antigua, Guatemala, in June 2003. 

This initiative had since its inception political support reflected in the Final Declaration of the XIII Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Ibero-American countries held in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, in November 2003, aware of the importance of the protection of personal data as a Fundamental Right, as well as the importance of Ibero-American regulatory initiatives to protect the privacy of citizens.

The RIPD is thus configured from its origins as an inclusive forum of the various actors, both from the public and private sectors, who develop initiatives related to the protection of personal data in Ibero-America, in order to strengthen the exchange of information, experiences and knowledge among its members. In the same way, it seeks to promote the regulatory developments necessary to guarantee advanced regulation in this matter in a democratic context.

Among the responsibilities of the RIPD is to strengthen the alliances of the Network with public bodies that carry out their functions in close connection with it and, in the private sphere, with the different interest groups that relate to the Data Protection Authorities: civil society, business associations and, entities most representative of the internet ecosystem, as well as organisations of privacy professionals.

Due to its trajectory over the years, the Network has established itself as the main promoter of dialogue and promoter of initiatives and policies in the region, which has meant that more than 350 million Latin American citizens currently have rules that effectively guarantee the use of their personal information and specialized authorities with powers to protect these guarantees.

In particular, the protection of personal data enables the economic growth of these countries, promoting the adaptation of their legislation in areas that, such as international data transfers, are key to the development of commercial transactions with Latin America, with the support that this implies to the processes of internationalization in this geographical area. It also strengthens its governance by strengthening the institutions responsible for the effective enforcement of the fundamental right to protection of personal data, the professionalization of its administrations and the ongoing training of its authorities and staff, in order to guarantee respect for Human Rights, through the aforementioned fundamental right. The protection of other rights, such as the right to human dignity, honour, privacy, legal security, freedom of association and freedom of information and expression, is one of the basic indicators of the development and consolidation of democratic processes in the region.

Linked to policies of social responsibility and democratic governance, the activities of the RIPD are developed in other areas of action that, such as gender equality, education and youth, ethics and public integrity, are not alien to institutions whose main mission is to be guarantors of a fundamental right.

On the other hand, we are currently witnessing a profound process of digitalization at a global level. This context presents important social advances insofar as it contributes to making life easier for citizens and to making new products and services available to them, but there is no doubt that it poses serious risks to citizens' rights and freedoms insofar as the collection and analysis of personal data may affect their privacy.

Within the framework of this digital transformation, it is necessary to unify lines of action and common criteria to address the data protection challenges posed by the treatments carried out by large digital platforms, increasingly sophisticated as they are based on new technologies such as artificial intelligence or neurotechnologies. 

Precisely, the RIPD is working on the challenges arising from the use of the aforementioned emerging technologies in relation to the formulation of specific public policy proposals to promote the strengthening of the protection of personal data and privacy, as well as their ethical and responsible use. A particular dedication is given around the protection of the most vulnerable groups, especially minors in the online world, formulating proposals for non-intrusive tools that allow improving the protection of their privacy. 

We are, therefore, facing an unprecedented technological challenge, and it is essential to strengthen and train technically and legally the authorities that guarantee the fundamental right to data protection, so that they can regulate these treatments, seeking a balance between technological advances and the protection of the rights and freedoms of citizens that this fundamental right grants them.