Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Bermuda Joins the ID2020 Alliance
Ethan Veneklasen
Senior Advocacy and Communications Professional: Digital ID, Digital Public Infrastructure, International Development
Today, we are delighted to announce that the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Bermuda has joined as the newest member of the ID2020 Alliance.
ID2020 is a public-private partnership that brings together nonprofits, corporations, and governments to promote the adoption and ethical implementation of user-managed, privacy-protecting, and portable digital identity solutions.
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Bermuda is an independent supervisory authority that was formally launched last year when Alexander White was appointed the island nation’s first privacy commissioner.
A lawyer by training – and hailing from the United States – Commissioner White has a mandate to protect the privacy and data protection rights of all Bermudians. Primary among his objectives are building the nation’s cyber-risk expertise and developing a privacy framework for the mid-Atlantic that adheres to the highest standards for data protection. Commissioner White has agreed to serve as a member of ID2020’s Ethics and Risk Advisory Committee.
“Digital identity solutions, if designed the right way, have the potential to place individuals in even greater control over how their personal information is used,” said White. “Such ethical, privacy-protective, and interoperable approaches will help build a more inclusive world and enable safer online experiences. ID2020 has long advocated for user control over personal data – a core belief that we share. Bermudians will benefit from the development of digital identity solutions and standards that promote privacy protections, and we look forward to collaborating with the ID2020 team to achieve our shared objectives.”
“Over the past several years, Bermuda has positioned itself as a leader in the fintech space, harnessing digital technology for the benefit of its citizens and the development of its economy. In establishing the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Bermuda, the government recognized that data protection, inclusion, and user-centricity are critical to the full realization of these benefits” said ID2020’s Head of Public Sector Partnerships, Meredith Kravitz. “We are delighted to welcome the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Bermuda to the Alliance and Commissioner White to his new role as a member of the ID2020 Ethics and Risk Advisory Committee.”
About ID2020
ID2020 is a global public-private partnership that harnesses the collective power of nonprofits, corporations, and governments to promote the adoption and ethical implementation of user-managed, privacy-protecting, and portable digital identity solutions.
By developing and applying rigorous technical standards to certify identity solutions, providing advisory services and implementing programs, and advocating for the ethical implantation of digital ID, ID2020 is strengthening social and economic development globally. Alliance partners are committed to a future in which all of the world’s seven billion people can fully exercise their basic human rights and reap the benefits of economic empowerment and to protecting user privacy and ensuring that data is not commoditized.
About The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Bermuda
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Bermuda (PrivCom) is an independent supervisory authority established in accordance with the Personal Information Protection Act 2016 (PIPA) with a mandate to regulate the use of personal information by organizations in a manner that recognizes both the need to protect the rights of individuals and the need for organizations to use personal information for legitimate purposes.
The Privacy Commissioner's powers and responsibilities include supervising the processing of personal information by both private- and public-sector organizations, investigating compliance with PIPA, issuing guidance and recommendations, liaising with other enforcement agencies, and advising on policies and legislation that affect privacy. PrivCom also works to raise awareness and educate the public about privacy risks, and to protect individual's rights and freedoms when their personal data is used.
Alexander White has served as the first Privacy Commissioner for Bermuda since January 2020.