Royal Gazette: Digital dream could become nightmare if data misused, privacy conference told
The right balance must be struck as measures are introduced to protect public privacy, according to the opening speakers of the 45th Global Privacy Assembly Annual Meeting last night.
The conference, organised by the Global Privacy Assembly, has brought together hundreds of international regulators and policymakers at the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club to discuss global technology and data issues.
Charlotte Andrews, the head of cultural heritage for the Bermuda National Trust, compared the challenges of data privacy to the challenges of protecting heritage, in her keynote speech to attendees.
She said the challenge in both is to find solutions that respect and benefit different people’s perspectives and needs.
“Whether for world heritage or privacy, we must think both within and beyond our own personal, institutional and national positioning towards both local benefits and global goals,” she said.
Dr Andrews highlighted Bermuda’s rich cultural history and how technology could be used to highlight a wider variety of perspectives and voices.
“I believe that in Bermuda, and with our partners, we need to prioritise building a holistic digital infrastructure for heritage management and community participation,” she said.
“Just as bridges connect our archipelago of islands, I see great potential in leveraging the public access possibilities of IT for the heritage process to forge connections, expand our story and the number and diversity of storytellers who tell it.
“I envisage an online portal that will unite Bermuda’s wealth of cultural resources, support work and collaboration across Bermuda’s cultural sector and which is built on community participation.”
Dr Andrews said such a portal could link cultural spaces locally and internationally, but the focus initially should be on Bermuda’s Unesco World Heritage Site, the Town of St George and its fortifications.