Protecting our personal data is essential, says Commissioner Deguara

28 January 2026

This is a Talking Point written by Information and Data Protection Commissioner (IDPC) Ian Deguara and which was published on Times of Malta on 28 January 2026, to mark Data Protection Day:

Today we mark Data Protection Day, an occasion commemorated by all Member States of the Council of Europe and beyond, which recalls the first international legally binding instrument on the protection of personal data, Convention 108 of the Council of Europe for the Protection of Individuals with regard to the Processing of Personal Data.

Malta signed Convention 108 on 15 January 2003. Just weeks later, on 28 February, it was ratified and subsequently entered into force on 1 June of the same year. The principles enshrined in this landmark convention, which has been amended throughout the years, have withstood the test of time. Indeed, they remain firmly reflected today in Article 5 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), underscoring the enduring relevance of its foundational values.

Data Protection Day is commemorated annually on 28 January, marking the anniversary of the opening for signature of Convention 108. It serves as a reminder of Europe’s longstanding commitment to safeguarding the fundamental rights to privacy and the protection of personal data. Over the years, the day has become an important moment to reflect on how data protection principles have evolved in response to social, economic and technological change, while remaining firmly anchored in respect for human dignity and individual fundamental freedoms.

Celebrating this day brings together public authorities, regulators, policymakers, civil society, academia and the private sector. It provides an opportunity to raise awareness among citizens of their data protection rights, promote responsible data processing practices and encourage dialogue on emerging challenges in an increasingly digital environment.

The importance of Data Protection Day has grown significantly as personal data has become central to modern life. Digital services, artificial intelligence, internet of things, online platforms and cross-border data flows have transformed how information is collected, used and shared. In this context, data protection remains a cornerstone of democratic societies, public trust in digital innovation and accountability across both public and private sectors.

For Malta, this occasion is also an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to upholding high standards of data protection and to strengthening a culture of compliance and respect for the fundamental rights of data subjects. It highlights the role of our Office in safeguarding individuals’ rights, guiding organisations in meeting their legal obligations and ensuring that data protection remains a living and effective principle in an increasingly data-driven world.

This year, our Office is marking Data Protection Day by launching an awareness campaign focused on one of the most pressing challenges of our digital age: the protection of children’s personal data. This focus is particularly urgent, as children are navigating an increasingly complex digital landscape with limited understanding of the risks they face or the rights they hold.

Children today grow up in an environment where digital interaction begins at an ever-younger age and where the boundary between online and offline life is increasingly blurred. Their daily engagement with digital platforms often involves decisions about personal data whose consequences are neither visible nor easily understood. These seemingly harmless interactions involve the continuous collection, processing and storage of personal data in ways that most children cannot fully grasp. Data protection literacy has therefore become as essential to children’s wellbeing as traditional forms of safety education, addressing risks that are substantial despite being largely invisible.

The campaign recognises that responsibility for protecting children’s personal data cannot rest solely with minors. Parents, legal guardians and educators play a vital role in creating environments where children are empowered to make informed choices about their digital lives. To support this shared responsibility, the Office has developed a comprehensive resource booklet for educators, including a dedicated section to strengthen teachers’ understanding of data protection and five structured lesson plans with step-by-step classroom guidance.

Alongside the main awareness video aimed at children, the campaign also includes a promotional video directed at adults, encouraging parents and guardians to engage with the material together with their children and to initiate meaningful conversations about data protection at home.

While our Office will continue to exercise its enforcement powers where necessary, this campaign reflects a broader understanding that a sustainable culture of data protection must be built through education from the earliest stages. By equipping future generations with the knowledge and awareness needed to protect their personal data, we are investing in a society better prepared to navigate the digital world with confidence, responsibility and respect for fundamental rights.

Online version here