Sweden & Finland Roundtables
29 - 31 May 2007
Sweden / Finland
Overview
DESPITE THE CONVENTIONAL WISDOM that data protection laws across the European Union are broadly similar, there are, in fact, important differences. If your business has operations in Sweden and/or Finland, you will benefit from a visit to attend the meetings of the European Privacy Officers Network in Stockholm and Helsinki May 29th-31st.
Tuesday, May 29th 2007, Stockholm, Briefing (Host: Bird & Bird)
13.30-17.30 Lawyers from law firm, Bird & Bird, will provide a briefing on Sweden’s Personal Data Act and related laws and regulations. The lawyers include: Jim Runsten, Partner, and Head of the IT and Data Protection practice group; and Henrik Nilsson, Senior Associate.
Wednesday, May 30th 2007, Stockholm (Host: Bird & Bird)
09.00-16.00 Roundtable with Göran Gräslund, the Director General of the Data Inspection Board, legal advisor, Hans-Olof Lindblom, and senior international officer, Elisabeth Wallin who will explain how they interpret and enforce not only Sweden’s Personal Data Act, but also related laws which have a major impact on the way you do business there.
The latest amendment to the law, that entered into force on January 1st this year, affects the way that personal data is regulated in e-mails and other media when the personal data is not the main purpose of the document. This amendment is unique to Sweden, and you need to understand it if you are to operate legally. Only you can decide whether this amendment is an advantage or a disadvantage to your business.
Thursday, May 31st 2007, Helsinki (Host: Data Protection Ombudsman)
09.00-16.00 The following day, we have organised a Roundtable in Helsinki, with Mr. Reijo Aarnio, Finland's Data Protection Ombudsman, and his senior colleagues. To work legally in Finland, you need to understand the relationship between the Personal Data Act and other laws, such as the Act on the Protection of Privacy in Working Life, the Act on the Protection of Privacy in Electronic Communications, and sectoral laws.
Make sure that you are prepared. Your Return on Investment from attending these meetings is attractive. The penalties from ignorance in terms of penalties, prosecutions and negative publicity are not.
All three meetings will be conducted in English. Numbers are limited to ensure a high level of interaction with the decision-makers.