News
Navigating International Data Transfers: Complying with Barbados Data Protection Act
This article looks at the framework to achieve lawful international transfers of personal data from Barbados under its Data Protection Act, 2019-29, taking into account it’s dual requirements for adequate protection and appropriate safegaurds. In addition to highlighting noteworthy mechanisms for compliance, the article sets out consequences for non-complinace.
![](https://www.eurocloud.at/fileadmin/_processed_/csm_bb-article-1_fe841347d6.jpg)
The internet and related modes of digital communication have become indispensable tools for operating businesses in Barbados. An implication of using modern digital communication mechanisms: significant amounts of data, including personal data is regularly transmitted within and outside organisations.
Implicit in this state of affairs, given the inherent capabilities of modern communication technologies to transcend borders, is an additional balancing act to be carried out. Law makers must now put mechanisms in place to ensure the preservation of basic privacy rights of persons within their borders when their personal information is transmitted across international borders. All this, while being mindful of the imperative to not stymy or slow down business.
The Barbados Data Protection Act, 2019-29 (the “Act”) attempts to achieve this delicate balance by laying out a framework for lawfully and fairly transferring personal data outside the country.
1 Understanding the General Principles
The Act outlines fairly robust provisions to safeguard the rights and freedoms of data subjects, particularly concerning the transfer of personal data to countries or territories outside its jurisdiction. Section 22 of the Act sets forth the general principles governing such transfers. That section emphasises two key principles: the need to ensure an adequate level of protection and a requirement to implement appropriate safeguards.
1.1 Ensuring Adequate Protection
The Act mandates that personal data cannot be transferred outside Barbados unless the receiving jurisdiction provides an adequate level of protection for data subjects' rights and freedoms. This encompasses not only legal safeguards but also effective remedies for data subjects in case of breaches or violations.
Implicit in the obligation to ensure an adequate level of protection for data leaving Barbados is the requirement to conduct transfer impact assessments. This can be gleaned from the relevant requirements in the Act that must be considered when determining adequacy. the Act outlines various factors, including the nature of the personal data, the countries involved in the transfer, the purposes and duration of processing, relevant laws and international obligations, as well as security measures implemented in the destination country or territory.
1.1.1 Establishing Safeguards
Once it can be demonstrated that one of the expressly stated safeguards mechanisms outlined in Act are present in respect of an international transfer, the requirement will be deemed met. The mechanisms in the Act include: legally binding instruments between public authorities, binding corporate rules, standard data protection clauses prescribed by the Data Protection Commissioner, contractual clauses, or provisions in administrative arrangements. Each method ensures that data subjects' rights remain enforceable and protected.
2 International Transfer Exceptions and Derogations
The Act acknowledges several circumstances where data transfers may occur without meeting all requirements outlined under the dual principles of adequate protection and appropriate safeguards. These include:
- Consent: The international transfer of personal data outside of Barbados will be deemed lawful, notwithstanding a failure to comply with several of the Act’s transfer-related provisions if it can be demonstrated that the data subject explicitly consented to the transfer.
- Necessity: There are several circumstances outlined in the Act where transfers of personal data outside of Barbados will not require compliance with the various requirements outlined above. Some notable necessity-based derogations include the performance of a contract, public interest, legal proceedings, matters to do with the vital interests of data subjects.
- Information on a Public Register: If the personal data to be transferred is information that is already on a public register, will, in some circumstances constitute a lawful derogation from the requirements for international transfers.
- Approval by the Commissioner: The Data Protection Commissioner, may allow international data to be transferred in two ways: (i) on approved terms that satisfies the Commissioner that adequate safeguards will be ensured; and (ii) where the Commissioner is satisfied that the manner in which the data is to be transferred will adequately safeguard the rights and freedoms of the persons whose data is being transferred.
3 Compliance and Consequences
Non-compliance with the Act's provisions carries significant consequences. Fines or imprisonment for contravention of the transfer framework are a potential consequence of non-compliance. Put plainly, where the requirements to ensure adequate safeguards and an adequate level of protection are not met, a party may be fined as much as high as US$250,000 or up to 3 years imprisonment.
4 Local Registration for International Processors and Controllers
Often overlooked is the obligation of data processors and controllers based outside Barbados to be registered with the Data Commissioner before they can lawfully process the personal data of persons of data. Tied to this broader obligation is a further requirement for overseas controllers and processors to have a representative in Barbados. Failure of overseas controllers or processors of personal data in Barbados to nominate a local representative are subject to fines (US$5,000) and other enforcement mechanisms.
Where the data controller is not based in Barbados, the Act contemplates that the name, address and particulars of the representative must be entered in the Register of Data Controllers. The Act also stipulates that the “names, or a description of, any countries outside Barbados to which the data controller directly or indirectly transfers, or intends or may wish directly or indirectly to transfer, the data” be entered. It is important to note that while the obligation to have a local representative is currently applicable, the Government has, so far, not made the requirement to register with the Commissioner an enforceable requirement.
Article provided by INPLP member: Bartlett Morgan (Chancery Advocates, Barbados)
Discover more about the INPLP and the INPLP-Members
Dr. Tobias Höllwarth (Managing Director INPLP)
News Archiv
- Alle zeigen
- Juli 2024
- Juni 2024
- Mai 2024
- April 2024
- März 2024
- Februar 2024
- Jänner 2024
- Dezember 2023
- November 2023
- Oktober 2023
- September 2023
- August 2023
- Juli 2023
- Juni 2023
- Mai 2023
- April 2023
- März 2023
- Februar 2023
- Jänner 2023
- Dezember 2022
- November 2022
- Oktober 2022
- September 2022
- August 2022
- Juli 2022
- Mai 2022
- April 2022
- März 2022
- Februar 2022
- November 2021
- September 2021
- Juli 2021
- Mai 2021
- April 2021
- Dezember 2020
- November 2020
- Oktober 2020
- Juni 2020
- März 2020
- Dezember 2019
- Oktober 2019
- September 2019
- August 2019
- Juli 2019
- Juni 2019
- Mai 2019
- April 2019
- März 2019
- Februar 2019
- Jänner 2019
- Dezember 2018
- November 2018
- Oktober 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- Juli 2018
- Juni 2018
- Mai 2018
- April 2018
- März 2018
- Februar 2018
- Dezember 2017
- November 2017
- Oktober 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- Juli 2017
- Juni 2017
- Mai 2017
- April 2017
- März 2017
- Februar 2017
- November 2016
- Oktober 2016
- September 2016
- Juli 2016
- Juni 2016
- Mai 2016
- April 2016
- März 2016
- Februar 2016
- Jänner 2016
- Dezember 2015
- November 2015
- Oktober 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- Juli 2015
- Juni 2015
- Mai 2015
- April 2015
- März 2015
- Februar 2015
- Jänner 2015
- Dezember 2014
- November 2014
- Oktober 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- Juli 2014
- Juni 2014
- Mai 2014
- April 2014
- März 2014
- Februar 2014
- Jänner 2014
- Dezember 2013
- November 2013
- Oktober 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- Juli 2013
- Juni 2013
- Mai 2013
- April 2013
- März 2013
- Februar 2013
- Jänner 2013
- Dezember 2012
- November 2012
- Oktober 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- Juli 2012
- Juni 2012
- Mai 2012
- April 2012
- März 2012
- Februar 2012
- Jänner 2012
- Dezember 2011
- November 2011
- Oktober 2011
- September 2011
- Juli 2011
- Juni 2011
- Mai 2011
- April 2011
- März 2011
- Februar 2011
- Jänner 2011
- November 2010
- Oktober 2010
- September 2010
- Juli 2010