The ICRC Data Protection Framework

The ICRC has established a data protection framework that affords individuals protection in accordance with international standards. It includes the ICRC Rules on Personal Data Protection, revised in 2020, as well as a supervisory and control mechanism overseen by the Data Protection Office and an independent commission.

1. ICRC rules on personal data protection

Data protection legislation has evolved rapidly in recent years. Now, around 120 countries have data protection laws or some kind of statutory requirement concerning privacy. As new technologies emerge and the world becomes increasingly interconnected, it is possible to process ever increasing quantities of data faster and more easily. Yet the potential for intrusion into individuals' private sphere is also becoming more significant.