Personal data in Uruguay

By Pittaluga Abogados

Uruguay is consistlenly transforming itself into one of the regions top countries in personal data protection. The Regulatory Unit for Personal Data Control (URCDP for its spanish acronyms) was created in 2008 to safeguard the fullfillment of data protection legal framework and ensure the respect of all its principles. Since its creation its had a steadily progress, reachig last year important accomplishments that allow Uruguay to ahcieve an european level of personal data protection.

On a decision issued on August 2012 the European Union (EU) recognised the country as providing adequate protection for personal data under the EU Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC: "The legal data protection standards applicable in Uruguay cover all the basic principles necessary for an adequate level of protection for natural persons, and also provide for exceptions and limitations in order to safeguard important public interests". The recognition improves the flow of personal data between Uruguay and the EU countries. "It has an impact on european investments in Uruguayan industries such as call centers and pharmaceuticals" said to 180 web portal Federico Monteverde, member of the Executive Council of the URCDP.

A couple of months late, on October 2012, Punta del Este held the 34th International Conference of Data Protection and Privacy Commisioners, organized since 1978 and the most important meeting worldwide on issues related to privacy regulation and personal data protection,  with the participation ammong other top international speakers of Brad Smith, Microsfot General Counsel and Executive Vice President of Legal an Corporate Affairs.

Also, citizens complaints of personal data utilization have been dropping annually: on 2012 there were 89, 17 less than on 2011, numbers tha evidence the strong, stable and strategic evolution of the URCDP, which sanctions law infractions with observations, warnings, suspension or closure of databases, and fines that may each U$ 60,000. Recently the Unity launched its campaign "Your data is worthy. Take care of them", intended to advise and train students, teachers and families in personal data protection.