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Computer processing of personal data is a central part of citizens' lives, at work, in their dealings with the authorities, in the medical sphere, when they purchase goods or services, and when they surf the Internet. The right to protection of this information is also a prerequisite for the exercise of other fundamental rights, such as the right to protection of privacy, freedom of expression and freedom of conscience.

In order to offer everyone protection in this field, the Council of Europe drew up a Convention to protect personal data which remains the only binding international legal instrument in this field. Any country may accede to the Convention, whether or not it is a member of the Council of Europe.

The aim of European Data Protection Day, which is marked on 28 January each year, is to give European citizens an opportunity to understand what kind of data about them is collected and processed, why this is done, and what rights they have in respect of such processing. It is also an opportunity for them to become more aware of the inherent risks associated with the unlawful use or clandestine processing of their personal data.