The Spanish Data Protection Agency (AEPD) has announced the ‚2023 Personal Data Protection Awards‘ on May 23, 2023. This year, the awards will be given in seven categories to recognize outstanding efforts in promoting the fundamental right to data protection in various sectors. The categories include Entrepreneurship in Personal Data Protection ‚Ángela Ruiz Robles‘, Initiatives and Best Practices for Greater Protection of Women against Digital Violence, Proactivity and Best Practices in Compliance with GDPR and LOPDGDD, Communication, Good Educational Practices and Personal Data Protection for Responsible and Safe Internet Use by Minors, Research in Personal Data Protection ‚Emilio Aced‘, and Dissemination of the Fundamental Right to Data Protection on Newly Created Social Networks.
The aim of these awards is to acknowledge the work done to raise awareness of this fundamental right in educational, business, scientific-technical research, social media, public administration, and media sectors, as well as the best practices of public and private entities for protecting women against digital violence. The deadline for submitting nominations is October 15.
The ‚Ángela Ruiz Robles‘ Entrepreneurship Award in Personal Data Protection, with a prize of 3,000 euros, aims to reward the development of an entrepreneurial activity, product, or service that is original, creative, innovative, and has a social impact in relation to data protection and safeguarding the rights and freedoms of individuals. Additionally, the jury may propose the award of an honorable mention with a prize of 1,500 euros.
This year, priority has been given to activities related to the implementation of proactive responsibility established in the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the management of risks when using disruptive technologies, especially those involving special categories of data, high-risk treatments, or affecting vulnerable groups such as minors, people with disabilities, or individuals in situations of gender-based violence or harassment.
The Award for Initiatives and Best Practices for Greater Protection of Women against Digital Violence aims to recognize activities, products, or services in the public or private sector that are dedicated to raising awareness and preventing various forms of digital violence based on gender. Special consideration will be given to applications, guides, tools, or materials developed by public or private entities to prevent gender-based digital violence, both among minors and adults.
The prize includes a cash award of 3,000 euros (1,500 for the honorable mention) if the winning project belongs to an individual or private entity. If the winning nomination is from a public entity, an honorary mention will be granted.
The Proactivity and Best Practices Award in Compliance with GDPR and LOPDGDD acknowledges actions taken to comply with the GDPR and the Organic Law on Data Protection and Digital Rights Guarantee (LOPDGDD) that contribute to strengthening data protection guarantees. When evaluating nominations, special consideration will be given to proposals that pose particular challenges for obligated entities due to high-risk data processing. The award, which consists of an honorable mention, is offered in two categories:
– Best practices implemented by private sector companies, associations, and foundations.
– Best practices of public sector institutions, entities, organizations, bodies, and departments.
The Communication Data Protection Award, which includes a prize of 3,000 euros for the winner and 1,500 euros for the honorable mention, aims to recognize journalistic works from media outlets that make a significant contribution to the dissemination and promotion of data protection principles among citizens and raise awareness among those handling personal information.
Eligible entries include individual works published in a media outlet – such as editorials, news articles, reports, or radio or television programs – or journalistic projects and audiovisual campaigns that demonstrate an editorial commitment to promoting data protection. Entries can be submitted by journalists (for their published works) or by the media outlet, including integrated blogs, as part of a comprehensive campaign. The works and actions submitted must have been disseminated between November 18, 2022, and October 15, 2023.
This year’s Communication Awards will prioritize works that have contributed significantly to promoting data protection on a social level, actions outlined in the Agency’s Sustainability Plan, and guides, materials, and tools developed by the Agency.
The Award for Good Educational Practices in Privacy and Data Protection for Responsible and Safe Internet Use by Minors aims to reward the adoption of best practices that promote knowledge of the fundamental right to data protection among students in Primary, Secondary, High School, and Vocational Training, and raise awareness among students about the value of privacy and responsible use of personal information shared on the internet, both their own and others‘.
The award, which can be applied for by projects, promotion and awareness actions, workshops, or dissemination materials, is offered in two categories:
– Best practices and projects carried out by public, private, and charter schools in Primary, Secondary, High School, and Vocational Training during the 2022-2023 school year. The prize includes a school supplies package worth 3,000 euros.
– Commitment of individuals, institutions, organizations, and associations, public or private, that have distinguished themselves in promoting and disseminating safe internet use among minors. This award is honorary.
The ‚Emilio Aced‘ Research Award in Personal Data Protection, which includes a prize of 3,000 euros and an honorable mention of 1,500 euros, recognizes works and projects conducted in the context of scientific-technical research that study, analyze, or practically develop data protection principles. Special consideration will be given to works related to the application of proactive responsibility established in the GDPR and risk management in disruptive technologies, those addressing special data categories, high-risk treatments, or affecting significant segments of society or groups vulnerable to gender-based violence or other forms of harassment.
Lastly, the newly created Award for the Dissemination of the Fundamental Right to Data Protection on Social Networks, which also includes a prize of 3,000 euros and an honorable mention of 1,500 euros, will recognize profiles on social networks that have demonstrated a strong commitment to promoting and disseminating the right to data protection. This category will prioritize those who have significantly contributed to promoting data protection on a social level, among citizens and data handlers, as well as those who have helped disseminate the actions outlined in the Agency’s Sustainability Plan or its campaigns, guides, materials, and tools.
In conclusion, the ‚2023 Personal Data Protection Awards‘ aim to celebrate and reward individuals, organizations, and initiatives that have made significant contributions to promoting and safeguarding the fundamental right to data protection in various sectors. By recognizing and honoring these efforts, the AEPD hopes to inspire further innovation and commitment to data protection practices in Spain and beyond.