CSISAC and ADC request OECD to establish clear procedures before statement of TGA to private sector data
As a member of the CSISAC Steering Committee at the OECD Digital Economy Ministerial Meeting, ADC requested the body to ensure transparent procedures for the process of Trusted Government Access (TGA) to data held by the private sector, in a joint statement with other organizations.
The letter, signed by ADC executive director Valeria Milanes, also calls on the Committee on Digital Economy Policy (CDEP) to cooperate with CSISAC and other stakeholders to guarantee there are no hidden maneuvers to keep away from public scrutiny or to create barriers to significant civil society participation at the OECD.
The development of common principles for TGA began as an open process per procedure, but then, after just one meeting in 2021, it was closed to civil society abruptly and remained so save for one briefing in mid 2022. Meanwhile, CSISAC was only given the opportunity to see an unfinished version of the text with which we had meaningful concerns, but we never received the final document in advance, nor were we invited to provide comments on it: the first time CSISAC was able to get hold of the final TGA declaration was after its release at the ministerial meeting.
“The removal of civil society’s voice in one of the most sensitive and important projects at OECD sets a dangerous precedent,” warns the statement.
Finally, the text stresses that “civil society stands ready to assist OECD in such mutuality of work, and hopes that together we can swiftly resolve the procedural defects” that have been observed so far.
The document is also signed by Pam Dixon, Carolina Botero, Hanno Wagner and Y.J. Park, members of the CSISAC Steering Committee.
The OECD Digital Economy Ministerial Meeting will be held from December 12-16 in Gran Canaria, Spain. The event addresses the challenges facing the pursuit of long-term economic recovery and expansion. The power of AI, digital enablers, data governance focused on growth and welfare, emerging and immersive technologies and cybersecurity will be the main topics discussed in the workshops and panels included in the meeting agenda.
