VeraSafe

Join us on Wednesday, July 24th at 1:00 p.m. ET for an insightful discussion on the Data Privacy Framework (DPF) with Mariel Bough, J.D., CIPP/E and Lauren McClanahan, J.D., CIPP/US, CIPP/E, CIPM, FIP, PLS. In this first session of our two-part webinar series, we'll delve into the purpose and history of the DPF, dispel common misconceptions, and clarify certification eligibility. We will also discuss key factors to consider when determining if the DPF is right for your business. This session is ideal for in-house counsel, privacy professionals, and business leaders navigating the complexities of cross-border data transfers. Register by visiting: https://lnkd.in/gaF9Di7r

It was an honor for VeraSafe to present at the inaugural joint review of the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework in Washington, D.C. Attendees included EU data protection authorities and members of the Directorate-General for Justice of the European Commission. Representing the U.S. were officials from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Federal Trade Commission, Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and other agencies. The atmosphere was notably upbeat and positive—a sign of the strength and success of the DPF, just one year after its approval. VeraSafe presented on our long-standing Independent Recourse Mechanism, a requirement for all organizations participating in the DPF. We extend a special thank you to the U.S. Department of Commerce for the opportunity to participate in this important event and for their tireless work in ensuring commercially viable options for EU-U.S. data flows. #Privacy #DataProtection #EUUSDPF #DPF 

Join us on Wednesday, July 24th at 1:00 p.m. ET for an insightful discussion on the Data Privacy Framework (DPF) with Mariel Bough, J.D., CIPP/E and Lauren McClanahan, J.D., CIPP/US, CIPP/E, CIPM, FIP, PLS. In this first session of our two-part webinar series, we'll delve into the purpose and history of the DPF, dispel common misconceptions, and clarify certification eligibility. We will also discuss key factors to consider when determining if the DPF is right for your business. This session is ideal for in-house counsel, privacy professionals, and business leaders navigating the complexities of cross-border data transfers. Register by visiting: https://lnkd.in/gaF9Di7r

VeraSafe is delighted to welcome Chris Caputo, CPA, CFE to the team as our newest Senior Accountant. Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, but recently relocated to Bologna, Italy, Chris brings a wealth of accounting and finance experience to his role. Most recently, he led the finance training team at a Fortune 200 international company, supporting over 800 finance team members by leading training sessions, ensuring adherence to standard procedures, implementing new systems and processes, and performing troubleshooting. Chris holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE). Please join us in welcoming Chris to the VeraSafe team! #NewHire #RemoteWork #VeraSafe

VeraSafe is delighted to welcome Jennifer Wilkinson to the team as our newest project manager. Jenn brings many years of boutique law firm experience as a litigation paralegal and project manager. She looks forward to expanding her knowledge of privacy and cybersecurity with VeraSafe. Please join us in welcoming Jenn to the VeraSafe team! #NewHire #RemoteWork #VeraSafe

European privacy regulators are starting to take notice of low-cost, low-effort, tick-the-box DPO solutions, and they're not impressed. The Belgian DPA recently fined a company €245,000 for, among other things, failure to provide adequate resources to their part-time, outsourced DPO. The DPA held, in part, that: 💡 "An adequate allocation of time for the DPO to effectively fulfill their duties is essential. This aspect is particularly important when the DPO performs their role part-time, whether they are internal or external to the organization. 💡 The lack of time allocated to the DPO for the exercise of their functions could lead to conflicts of priorities and compromise their ability to fulfill their duties. To address this situation, WP29 recommends determining, in conjunction with the DPO, the estimated time needed to perform their role (the need is greater when entering the role). It may be useful to establish a work plan that prioritizes the DPO's tasks to ensure they have the necessary time to fully assume their responsibilities. Furthermore, it is essential that the allocation of resources for the DPO is proportional to the size, complexity, structure, and risks associated with the data processing activities. Consequently, the more complex or sensitive the processing operations, the more substantial the resources allocated to the DPO will need to be." (Translated with the help of ChatGPT from the original French.) ❗ If your business is relying on a DPO service that only supports you for a few hours per month, you're in danger of this happening to you. If you're concerned about whether your DPO solution is compliant, I'm happy to chat. #dpo #gdpr #privacy #dataprotection

Recently, 13 VeraSafe team members from Europe, South Africa, and South Korea gathered for a memorable micro meetup in the picturesque setting of Babylonstoren near Cape Town, South Africa. From collaborative work sessions to exploring the beautiful surroundings, every moment was filled with camaraderie and teamwork. As a 100% remote company, these in-person gatherings are invaluable to our culture. They help bridge the distances between our remote locations and strengthen our bonds as a global team. #TeamMeetup #RemoteWork #GlobalCollaboration 

Some really great panel discussions at Privacy Symposium this week. For example, the one about online direct marketing: Dr. Sachiko Scheuing highlighted how online advertising has democratized the landscape. Small companies now have access to advertising opportunities that were once exclusive to big corporations. She also debunked a common myth—advertisers don't merely track users indiscriminately; they track to personalize ads. Peter Craddock emphasized the strides European AdTech companies have made in compliance, particularly steering clear of sensitive category data, which has become a "no-go" area. He provided an interesting perspective on dark patterns, suggesting that not all are bad and there's a crucial distinction between lawful and unlawful dark patterns. Tobias Judin 🏳️🌈 underscored the necessity of reinstating actual choice for users. He argued for putting humans back in the loop and warned that without improved compliance, legislators might be inspired to curtail online advertising. Luca Bolognini shared innovative ideas to enhance transparency in online advertising, which could empower users to make more informed decisions about their data. Kudos to Elise L. for her skillful chairing of the debate. VeraSafe #PrivacySymposium #OnlineMarketing #AdTech #DataPrivacy #UserChoice #Compliance #Transparency #DataEthics

Greetings from Venice! Danie Strachan and Anastasia Pavlou have been gaining valuable insights, engaging with global privacy professionals, and discussing critical issues in privacy and data protection at the 2024 Privacy Symposium. A special highlight was Danie’s presentation on “When Laws are Inadequate: Enabling Compliant Health Data Transfers Between South Africa and the EU.” Thank you to everyone who joined the discussion! There were also several insightful sessions featuring Garante President Pasquale Stanzione, UK Information Commissioner John Edwards, FTC Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya, CNIL President Ms. Marie-Laure Denis, Head of the Secretariat of the EDPB Ms. Isabelle Vereecken, and many more. #PrivacySymposium #EDPB #CNIL #ICO #FTC

VeraSafe is delighted to welcome Nathalie Conradie to the team as Associate Privacy Counsel. Nathalie brings over six years of legal experience to her role, including a background in corporate and commercial law from a top national firm in South Africa. Her extensive knowledge of data privacy compliance, information and communication technology, and commercial advisory will be a great asset. Please join us in welcoming Nathalie to the team! #NewHire #RemoteWork #VeraSafe