Make the GDPR POP! - Reclaiming data rights through citizen education

Karen Melchior, Sonja Zell The intention of this workshop is to
develop strategies together with workshop participants to make the
GDPR a subject for discussion among citizens and develop the
aspects of citizens’ data rights further. Central question in the
workshop will be: How can citizen participation be encouraged for
reclaiming personal data rights towards businesses as well as for
defending them against governmental overreach? The aim is to come
out of the workshop with new perspectives and energy to facilitate
discussions with citizens on their data rights, their position in
the data market and their role as data citizens. The debate
surrounding the GDPR has mainly been on consumer protection rather
than citizens' rights. Furthermore, a strong focus has been the use
of personal data by private actors. However the GDPR allows for
governments to expand data use through national legislation. As
citizens, we must be enabled to make truly informed decisions about
our personal data in a society, which is increasingly built on the
use of such data. That requires thoroughly informing and educating
citizens not only on their rights, but also on their role in the
European data market. Furthermore, in order to support citizens in
reclaiming their right to their personal data, we must continue the
debate about data rights at a local level in order to uphold the
rights given by the GDPR and to stop member states from undermining
them. This calls for a lively and informed public debate, which we
like to inspire with this workshop. The hosts of the workshop will
contribute with two different aspects to the discussion. Sonja will
start the discussion with a focus on the citizens’ role in the
European data market. Karen will introduce a Danish perspective at
how governments and the public sector may attempt to expand their
use of personal data. Max. 42 Participants