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Asia-Pacific Dashboard Digest | Notes from the IAPP Asia Managing Director, 20 January 2017 Related reading: Microsoft gives privacy commitments to Azure OpenAI Service, Copilot users

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A belated Happy New Year from Singapore! It’s been an interesting start to the new year. As speculation increases regarding U.S. trade deals with Asia, we are seeing more countries interested in signing up to the APEC Cross-Border Privacy Rules System. The CBPR’s creator likened its usefulness to a fax machine (for those of you old enough to know what a fax machine is!). Alone, a fax machine is of no use and even two are of limited use. But a network of fax machines starts to become increasingly useful. Clearly, the more countries that sign up, the more beneficial the system will be.

The importance of cross-border flows was also a key point that emerged in Singapore recently. I had the honour of being able to engage with Singapore’s new CEO of IMDA (Infocomm Media Development Authority) and Personal Data Protection Commissioner Tan Kiat How, fresh into his appointment at the start of the year. The informative discussion ranged from the Authority’s role in educating businesses, to how he sees Singapore in the global privacy community.

Mr. Tan recognises the compliance challenges for businesses looking to develop into other markets, as well as at home, and said that the Authority would look at mechanisms to ease the flow of data cross-border. He is also keen to enhance accountability and recognised that many businesses need help with implementing privacy management practices. PDPC has taken some very practical steps toward this end. 

On a more “personal” note, a common hand gesture in Asia, the peace or victory sign, is now under threat. Apparently, technology can now read your fingerprints from a digital photograph and recreate these to commit crime. So be careful how you gesture in your selfies! 

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