ODPA Data Protection Teabreak

This is the first in the ODPA’s new podcast series, Data, Democracy and Freedom. It examines: • How people’s information can be weaponized to undermine elections and democracy. • How to preserve civil liberties and strike the right balance between national security/program delivery and upholding privacy rights. • How technology may be influencing our freedom of thought and expression In this first episode, Guernsey Data Protection Commissioner Brent Homan sits down with privacy and civil liberties advocate Dr Colin Bennett to discuss Privacy and Politics, surveillance technologies, and whether artificial intelligence is a friend or foe for personal freedom. Dr Bennett is Professor of Political Science at the University of Victoria, Canada, Professor Emeritus at UVIC as well as an Associate Fellow at the Centre for Global Studies, and writer of many books and articles including: ‘Transparent Lives: Surveillance in Canada’; ‘Security Games: Surveillance and Control at Mega-Events’; and ‘The Governance of Privacy: Policy Instruments in Global Perspective’.

Revealing more of a personal side to Bailiwick of Guernsey Data Protection Commissioner Brent Homan as he talks to Radio Guernsey presenter Jim Delbridge on his weekly show, sharing stories of his youth and how he is finding life on the Island - all framed by a Canadian soundtrack of Rush, the Tragically Hip and the Spoons! From Texas, snowballs and the world's longest skating rink to island cliff hikes and scraped up cars - a fun chat definitely worth a listen!!

In the ODPA’'s 2025 Project Bijou lecture, Guernsey Data Protection Commissioner Brent Homan sits down with Australian Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind to discuss her vision as a new Commissioner for Australia, children’s rights, how to make social media safer without turning young people into outlaws and the mass adoption of AI. ⭐ What is the Bijou Lecture series? The ODPA launched its annual Bijou Lecture in 2022, as part of its outreach arm ‘Project Bijou’ which aims to encourage the sharing of stories, knowledge and experiences related to ethical data use, in a way that benefits everyone. You can access all lectures at: www.odpa.gg/project-bijou/the-bijou-lecture

Guernsey politician, PR expert, businessman, musician, writer and keen runner Steve Falla is perpetually in motion. As vice-president of the Economic Development Committee (at the time of recording, Feb 2024) he’s better placed than most to understand the financial challenges facing both government and Guernsey residents amid soaring living costs and increased demands on infrastructure. In this Project Bijou podcast, Deputy Falla sits down for a discussion with Bailiwick Data Protection Commissioner Brent Homan to discuss his call for ‘boldness’, the impact digital connectivity has had on data privacy, and the critical importance of elevated data protection practices to support a vibrant and globally competitive financial services sector. Project Bijou is the Office of the Data Protection Authority’s social initiative, which aims to harness the power of shared experiences and stories to promote ethical data use and engage people on a cultural level.

Storytelling is one of the most effective ways of sharing knowledge and can be a powerful tool to inspire change. Project Bijou is the Office of the Data Protection Authority’s social initiative, which aims to harness the power of shared experiences and stories to promote ethical data use and engage people on a cultural level. In this Project Bijou podcast, Guernsey Data Protection Commissioner Brent Homan sits down with his counterpart, Jersey’s Information Commissioner Paul Vane, to discuss the shared opportunities and challenges of overseeing data protection and privacy legislation within smaller jurisdictions which are also global financial centres. They talk about how regulatory co-operation can help overcome technological challenges, promote compliance and amplify their ability to protect privacy rights in the Channel Islands.