OEB Global: Experts Warn Learning Providers about Data Regulation
International experts on data security and privacy in education are warning that the education sector may not be ready for the imminent implementation of the EU’s new law on data protection, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
The experts, who include Miho Tanaka of Enobyte GmbH, Jen Persson of defenddigitalme, Kirsten Wolgast LL.M. of Pinsent Masons and Mike Olsen of Proctorio, will take part in a panel discussion in Berlin on December 7 on the impact of GDPR on the education sector at OEB Global 2017, Europe’s leading conference on technology assisted learning and training. A second workshop at the conference on GDPR regulation, data science and learning analytics organised by experts in these fields including Derek Jones of Blackboard will examine measures Higher Education institutions can take to prepare for the changes.
The OEB sessions follow the publication of several recent reports, highlighting a general lack of preparedness among businesses and institutions ahead of the implementation of GDPR, which could lead to fines of up to 20 million euros for firms found to be in breach of the new laws. A study by learning providers Litmos Heroes found that over 30 per cent of UK firms have done nothing yet to ensure they comply with the new regulations, which will come into force next May, and 10 per cent aren’t planning to do anything either.
The new regulations, which will establish how companies and institutions are obliged to manage any data they collect or use, will apply not simply to EU firms but also to outside companies doing business with the EU. Non-EU companies will have to comply with the GDPR if they have customers in EU member states or even if they use data relating to people in the EU.
With the start date of GDPR now only six months away, personal data security and privacy in education technologies is already becoming a hot topic for companies, institutions, learners and students in the EU.
“This is a huge issue for the education sector, as well as for any business or institution, which collects, stores or uses data,” says Rebecca Stromeyer, Chief Executive of ICWE II GmbH, the German company which organises OEB. “Our discussions at OEB are designed to get people up to speed quickly with the main practical issues raised by GDPR and to look at how companies and institutions in the sector can ensure they are ready to comply with the new regulations. Among other topics, our expert panellists will be looking at what exactly the new regulations mean for eLearning providers and how they will affect learners and students.”
For more information on the GDPR session or on OEB Global, please contact [email protected].
Notes for editors
OEB 2017 is the 23rd global cross-sector conference on technology-supported learning and training. The conference will take place at Berlin’s Intercontinental Hotel from December 6 – 8, 2017.
Gold Sponsors: Triseum, Blackboard, AVIXA, Gutenberg technology
Silver Sponsors: D2L Europe Ltd., CREATE.21st century, Rehearsal, Proctorio, Questionmark, DXTERA Institute, Arnos Online Education
Conference Sponsors: Oracle Academy, Speexx, Mediasite - Sonic Foundry, Cambridge Assesment English, Learning Valley / Presentations 2Go, WildFire, SmartSpokes, Babbel
Conference Partner: EFMD- Global network