The General Data Protection Regulation - opportunities and challenges for health research

The General Data Protection Regulation - opportunities and challenges for health research

Helen Dixon, Data Protection Commissioner for Ireland

3 July 2017, CRUK Cambridge Institute lecture theatre and gallery from 12.00 - 13:00 followed by lunch and light refreshments

This talk will cover general features of the new data protection legal regime which will come into effect in the EU in May 2018. It will briefly examine the factors that led to the proposal for a new General Data Protection Regulation and discuss how it seeks to harmonise data protection standards in Europe.

The new law has important implications for processing of health data, which counts as a special category with higher protections. Processing of health data must meet particular conditions to legitimise its use for reasons of public interest (e.g. many forms of research) and in the context of organising and delivering health services.

Given the potential exit of the UK from the EU, the talk will also review the issues that arise with the transfers of personal data outside of the EU.

Helen Dixon was appointed as Data Protection Commissioner for Ireland in September 2014 and is responsible for upholding the rights of individuals regarding how data about them is used. Among other things, the role involves regulation of a large number of US internet multinationals with European bases in Ireland. You can read her full biography below.