About the Speech:
In her speech, Director General Astola shed light on the interlinks between data protection and security as complementary objectives which the EU must uphold. The Director General argued that in the 21st century it must be possible to ensure both more security and more privacy through appropriate technical and legal solutions. The intervention addressed the key features of the modern data protection framework: the General Data Protection Regulation and the Police Directive. This framework will be applicable as of May 2018. Ms Astola also discussed the latest developments in the data protection field, including regarding the guaranteed protection of the personal data when the data travels outside the EU.
About the Speaker:
Ms Astola was appointed Director-General for Justice and Consumers at the European Commission on 1 February 2016. The DG deals with civil justice, including contract and company law, criminal justice, fundamental rights, including data protection and free movement, equality and consumer law and policy. Before joining the Commission, Ms Astola was Permanent Secretary of the Finnish Ministry of Justice, with overall responsibility for both international and domestic law matters, including courts and prisons. Prior to that, she headed units responsible for civil law and European law at the Department of Legislation of the Ministry and has also worked for the Finnish Ministry of Finance and the Finnish Foreign Trade Association.
