Data Protection Day 2026

Today is European Data Protection Day (DPD) – marking the 19^th anniversary of celebration.

We are all aware that DPD should not be the only day of the year that organisations think about data accountability and (transparency).  One day is not enough – data is a day to day task.  However, using DPD as a keystone in your monitoring framework (which also serves as an audit trail) is smart if it can demonstrate how your organisation complies with the UK GDPR and takes ownership of its’ obligations, both by allowing reviewing and monitoring of effectiveness of policies and procedures, whilst also aligning strategies within this fast moving data environment.

Initiated by the Council of Europe on 28 January 2007, Data Protection Day reminds organisations of their obligations under data protection law and how taking ownership of data practices is both essential and advantageous.

Controlling your data is more essential than it has ever been.  Lawyers are experiencing more and litigation in this area. Together with employment teams and HR practitioners, collectively we are seeing more SARs, more claimants challenging decisions, more individuals reporting to the ICO and bringing claims both before the courts and tribunals either alone or in class actions.

Controlling your organisation’s data isn’t optional; it’s vital for organisations to succeed in today’s climate. We have seen the repercussions of data breaches, costing millions and reputational damage, equating to a lack of trust from stakeholders, and shareholders alike.

This Data Protection Day, take the time to reflect on your data practices and commit to encouraging a culture of accountability and ownership within your organisation with your own employees. By talking data and becoming data hygienic within your organisation your employees may apply the same practices to their own lives – creating an ethos of continuous data education and practices. So it’s win, win all round!

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