Moldova Strengthens Data Protection with National Conference on New Legal Provisions
Chișinău, Moldova - On Tuesday, January 28, 2025, stakeholders from across Moldova convened for a national conference titled "Noile prevederi legale în domeniul protecției datelor cu caracter personal în Republica Moldova" (New Legal Provisions in the Field of Personal Data Protection in the Republic of Moldova). The conference, held in Chișinău, brought together experts, government officials, and representatives from both the public and private sectors to discuss the implications of new data protection laws. The event was organized and financed by the European Union as part of the Moldova Cybersecurity Rapid Assistant 2.0 project, implemented by the E-Governance Agency (EGA).
The conference was deemed timely, given Moldova's focus on solidifying its digital infrastructure. A key objective was to examine opportunities and innovations in data protection, as well as challenges faced by the country. According to one speaker, “This event is very opportune, because Moldova is working to consolidate its digital infrastructure.”
The conference was held in conjunction with the celebration of the European Data Protection Day. At the event, speakers emphasized the importance of protecting personal data, noting that the Council of Europe adopted Convention 108 for the protection of individuals with regard to the automated processing of personal data on January 28, 1981, in Strasbourg. A representative of the National Center for Personal Data Protection stated, “We are pleased that together with our partners from the Rapid Assistance Project of the Academy of E-Governance, we can bring together experts in the field of data protection, representatives of public institutions and private entities to discuss opportunities and innovations in the field of data protection, but also the challenges that the Republic of Moldova faces in this area.”
The new legislation, adopted on July 25, 2024, and published in the Official Monitor on August 23, 2024, aims to fully transpose the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) into national law. A representative of the Ministry of Justice noted, “The adoption of the new law on the protection of personal data ensures the full transposition of the General Regulation of the European Union regarding data protection, known in particular by its acronym GDPR.” The law also provides individuals with greater control over their personal data and details the manner in which data protection rights are to be exercised. It also establishes responsibilities for data controllers, processors, and data protection officers.
The conference also highlighted the importance of international collaboration in data protection. A representative of the European Union delegation in Moldova remarked, “I want to take this opportunity to note the progress that the Republic of Moldova has made in this field, and also, that our collaboration in data protection has been part of the EU-Moldova collaboration for over a decade.”
The discussions at the conference will provide a valuable opportunity to analyze how these new regulations can be implemented effectively, ensuring a balance between the protection of individual rights and economic and social development. A representative from the National Center for Personal Data Protection said, “Our goal, as the National Authority for the Protection of Personal Data, is to facilitate a constructive dialogue between all relevant actors in the public and private sector to promote the exchange of best practices and to offer practical solutions for the implementation of new regulations in the field of data protection.”
The event also served as a platform to acknowledge the contributions of various individuals and organizations to the advancement of data protection in Moldova. The National Center for Personal Data Protection expressed gratitude to the E-Governance Academy of Estonia for its partnership and support. According to a representative from the National Center, “Their commitment to supporting the field of personal data protection is essential both for the data protection authority and for our common success in this field.”
As technologies continue to evolve rapidly, the challenges for data protection become more complex. The conference underscored Moldova's commitment to harmonizing its legal framework with international standards, responding to current needs, and ensuring the protection of its citizens’ fundamental rights.