Workshop 7 - Data protection as an enabler for international cooperation on cybercrime

The Data protection laws and regulations can ensure appropriate safeguards in cases of data transfer for the purpose of the prevention, detection, investigation, and prosecution of criminal offences. The Second Additional Protocol to the Budapest Convention and the Convention 108+ of the Council of Europe set comprehensive standards in personal data protection, which can be reflected into national models, thus supporting legislative harmonization, and facilitating international co-operation. The African Union’s Malabo Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection entered into effect on 8 June 2023, becoming the only binding regional treaty on data protection outside Europe.

Inadequate data protection laws and privacy regulations and delayed or abandoned reforms in several of the African countries can complicate investigations by limiting the ability of authorities to access and analyse digital evidence while respecting individuals' privacy rights.

The workshop aims at taking stock of the latest legislative developments on data protection in Africa and serve as inspiration for encouraging more countries to adhere to regional and international data protection standards and address the legislative gap at national level.