The Annual European Data Protection & Privacy Conference returns for its 14th year, this year focusing on supporting innovation within robust privacy standards amid growing regulatory complexity.

The Annual European Data Protection & Privacy Conference returns for its 14th year, this year focusing on supporting innovation within robust privacy standards amid growing regulatory complexity.

Amid unprecedented technological advancements and an evolving regulatory landscape globally, the 14th Annual European Data Protection & Privacy Conference will take place in Brussels on 26th March. Building on its legacy, this year's edition once again serves as a key platform for policymakers, industry leaders, and experts to engage in critical debates shaping the future of data privacy, governance, and digital regulation in Europe and beyond.

This year’s edition will focus on navigating the complexities of privacy, security, and innovation in an increasingly data-driven world. Discussions will examine key regulatory and technological developments, including the next phase of GDPR, the expanding EU Digital Rulebook, AI governance, and the evolving intersection of privacy, competition, and digital advertising.

Didier Reynders, Commissioner for Justice, European Commission, delivers an opening keynote at the 13th Annual European Data Protection and Privacy Conference. 

Key themes for 2025:

• The expanding EU Digital Rulebook and the next chapter for GDPR: What does the future hold for privacy, compliance, and innovation?
• Cross-Border Data Access & Security in the Digital Age: With the e-Evidence Package set to apply in 2026, how can policymakers balance privacy, security, and public safety?
• Data Protection, Digital Markets & Competition: What are the implications of privacy regulations on digital advertising, competition, and innovation?
• AI, Data & Privacy: How will the GDPR, the EU AI Act, and AI-specific privacy rules shape AI governance?
• The Role of Technology in Privacy & Trust: How can Privacy-Enhancing Technologies (PETs) and Privacy-Preserving Techniques (PPTs) drive secure data use and innovation?
• The Role of Technology in Fostering the Power of Personal Data: Privacy, Trust, and Innovation - and the balance between enabling data utility while preserving privacy and building public trust.
• International Data Transfers & Regulatory Convergence: How can global data protection frameworks reconcile data sovereignty with seamless digital trade?

Mathieu Michel, Secretary of State for Digitisation, Federal Government of Belgium delivers his keynote address at the 13th Annual European Data Protection and Privacy Conference. 

Agenda at a glance:

Following keynote addresses by those such as Anu Talus, Chair of the European Data Protection Board, the opening panel will examine the EU’s evolving approach to digital innovation, data governance, and privacy regulation. At the start of a new legislative cycle, the expansion of the EU ‘Digital Rulebook’ and the future of GDPR remain central to discussions on balancing innovation, competitiveness, and data protection. Nearly a decade since its ratification, and following its 2024 review, GDPR remains Europe’s foundational data protection law. However, with emerging technologies, AI governance, and evolving digital markets, its next phase faces growing scrutiny. Accordingly, the session, headlined by Hielke Hijmans (Belgian Data Protection Authority), Olivier Micol (DG JUSTICE, European Commission), and Markéta Gregorová (European Parliament), will explore GDPR’s adaptability, its role within AI governance, and its implications for Europe’s digital future.

As European data governance evolves, balancing privacy, security, and public safety is critical. The e-Evidence Package marks a major shift in cross-border data access, reshaping how law enforcement interacts with digital evidence. Accordingly, the day's second session will examine the legal, technological, and ethical challenges of data retention and law enforcement access, exploring its interplay with the Law Enforcement Directive (LED), Europol Regulation, and broader EU legal frameworks. Panelists will also assess insights from the High-Level Group on Access to Data, considering the future of digital investigations and cross-border cooperation.

As the digital economy evolves, navigating the intersection of privacy, competition, and advertising technology is increasingly complex. A fireside chat with industry giant Apple will explore key challenges and emerging strategies for achieving regulatory coherence, maintaining consumer trust, and fostering innovation in a highly competitive, data-driven market.

The afternoon sessions will begin with a keynote address from Michael McGrath, Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law, and Consumer Protection, European Commission. At a time of intense debate and regulatory evolution, this keynote offers a timely opportunity to gain firsthand insights into the EU’s legislative priorities, enforcement strategies, and the evolving role of digital rights in the next phase of Europe’s digital transformation. With data protection and privacy remaining at the heart of Europe’s digital future, this address will no doubt prove incredibly valuable.

Following Commissioner McGrath’s keynote address, the discussion will shift to one of the most pressing regulatory challenges of the digital era - the AI revolution and its profound implications for data privacy. As AI systems remain reliant on vast datasets, their deployment raises complex legal, ethical, and compliance concerns, particularly regarding privacy, accountability, and trust in AI-driven decision-making. This session will feature expert insights from Yordanka Ivanova (EU AI Office, DG CNECT), Michael McNamara (Member, European Parliament), and Juraj Čorba (OECD AI Governance Working Party, GPAI), who will examine the interplay between AI governance and existing data protection frameworks, including GDPR and the EU AI Act. Discussions will focus on regulatory overlaps, compliance requirements, and the evolving role of AI within the broader digital policy landscape, offering a critical assessment of how privacy frameworks must adapt to ensure both innovation and fundamental rights protections.

The penultimate panel of the day captures the transformative role of technology in fostering a new era of personal data empowerment. As data becomes an increasingly valuable asset in the digital economy, discussions will explore how individuals, businesses, and regulators can harness its potential to lead data-enabled innovation and address emerging challenges. In a data driven world, how can technology be part of the solution to today's most pressing questions?

Bringing the 14th Annual European Data Protection & Privacy Conference to a close, our final panel session examines the evolving landscape of international data protection efforts and strategies to harmonise global data transfer mechanisms. Titled “Bridging Borders: Towards the Interoperability and Convergence of Data Privacy Rules Worldwide?’’, this session will provide a comprehensive analysis of regulatory alignment initiatives aimed at balancing privacy, trust, and economic growth. Key discussion points will include the EU’s expanding network of adequacy decisions, updates to Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs), and global frameworks such as the Data Free Flow with Trust (DFFT) initiative and the Cross-Border Privacy Rules (CBPR) system. Panelists will examine how interoperability and regulatory convergence can enhance privacy protection while ensuring seamless data flows, and assess how policymakers can reconcile data sovereignty concerns with the need for a globally integrated digital economy.

Olivier Micol (DG Justice), MEP Sergey Lagodinsky, Ilias Chantzos (Broadcom), and Fanny Hidvegi (Access Now) join Bloomberg’s Stephanie Bodoni, to discuss the legacy and achievement of the GDPR five years on.

Confirmed speakers currently include: 

• Michael McGrath, Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, European Commission. 
• Anu Talus, Chair, European Data Protection Board. 
• Olivier Micol, Head of Unit for Data Protection, DG JUSTICE, European Commission. 
• Markéta Gregorová, Member, European Parliament. 
  
• Michael McNamara, Member, European Parliament.
• Yordanka Ivanova, Head of Sector, Legal Oversight of the AI Act Implementation, AI Regulation and Compliance, EU AI Office, DG CNECT, European Commission. 
• Ignacio Gómez Navarro, Team Leader, E-evidence and Cybercrime, Security in the Digital Age Unit, European Commission. 
• Juraj Čorba, Co-Chair of The Global Partnership on AI and Acting Chair of OECD Working Party on Governance of AI (AIGO OECD). 
  
• Maria Rautavirta, Head of Data Policy, Ministry of Transport and Communications, Finland. 

With a distinguished lineup of policymakers, regulators, industry leaders, and privacy experts, this conference offers unparalleled opportunities for networking, knowledge-sharing, and collaboration at the forefront of data protection and privacy governance.

For detailed information on the conference agenda, speakers, and key themes, please visit the official event website. For speaking opportunities, sponsorship, or further inquiries, please contact us at dataprotectionconference@forum-europe.com. 

Join us in shaping the future of data privacy and digital regulation in Europe. Secure your place today!