What does Convention 108 aim to protect?

Convention 108, also known as the Council of Europe's Convention for the Protection of Individuals with regard to Automatic Processing of Personal Data, focuses on safeguarding fundamental human rights and freedoms when it comes to the processing of personal data. It emphasizes the right of individuals to have their personal information protected against misuse and seeks to ensure that data processing is conducted in a fair and lawful manner. The convention establishes principles for data protection and promotes the idea that individuals have the right to privacy regarding their personal information.

By aiming to protect fundamental human rights, Convention 108 lays a foundation for various privacy laws and frameworks around the world, reinforcing the importance of treating personal data with respect and caution. This aligns with broader global movements emphasizing human rights in the digital age, particularly as technology increasingly impacts personal privacy. Thus, this focus on fundamental rights reinforces the significance of ethical data management practices in both public and private sectors.