Seminar of the Personal Data Protection Office and the Social Insurance Institution on new technologies and personal data protection – report

On 23 June, another seminar jointly organised by the Personal Data Protection Office and the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) took place in Białystok. The event brought together representatives of public administration, experts in personal data protection, and individuals responsible for implementing new technologies in public institutions.

The seminar was led by Katarzyna Krupicka, Regional Press Officer of ZUS in Białystok, and Karol Witowski, Director of the Social Communication Department and Press Officer of the Personal Data Protection Office.

Participants were welcomed by Alicja Barwicka, Director of the ZUS Branch in Białystok, and Paweł Jaroszek, Member of the Management Board of ZUS.

In his address, Paweł Jaroszek highlighted the growing importance of personal data protection in the modern world.

“Personal data protection is the security of us all. A few years ago, some people viewed this subject as an unnecessary formality. Today, in the face of dynamic technological development and a changing geopolitical situation, we know that data has become one of the most valuable resources. More and more entities are interested in obtaining information about our behaviour, habits and activities, which is why proper protection of such data is of fundamental importance,” emphasised the ZUS Management Board member.

On behalf of the Personal Data Protection Office, the seminar was officially opened by Konrad Komornicki, Deputy President of the Personal Data Protection Office, who referred to the challenges associated with implementing new technologies.

“We are now faced with the necessity of responsibly implementing new technologies. They are not off‑the‑shelf products that can be purchased and applied without reflection. Every solution should be designed with the needs of a specific organisation in mind, preceded by a thorough risk analysis and adapted to the nature of the processes it is intended to support. Only such a tailor‑made approach allows us to reconcile innovation with the protection of citizens’ rights and freedoms,” said Konrad Komornicki.

“We increasingly rely on advanced solutions that enable the identification of individuals with unprecedented effectiveness. This means that responsible data processing and proper risk management are becoming some of the most significant challenges for public institutions,” added the Deputy President of the Personal Data Protection Office.

Introducing the first conference panel, entitled “Legal aspects of personal data protection – how to reconcile legal requirements with services provided to administration clients”, Karol Witowski noted that the Personal Data Protection Office supports the use of new technologies. They are transforming the way public administration communicates with citizens.

“Digital tools allow information to be shared more quickly, streamline case handling, and help respond better to society’s needs. It is worth making use of these opportunities, because technologies should serve people and support the creation of an efficient and citizen‑friendly state,” said Karol Witowski.

He stressed, however, that technological development requires a responsible approach. Therefore, personal data protection and user privacy must be considered already at the design stage of new solutions.

Panel I: “Legal aspects of personal data protection – how to reconcile legal requirements with services provided to administration clients”

The first panel, moderated by Agnieszka Gębicka, Director of the Personal Data Protection Office at ZUS, focused on the challenges of reconciling personal data protection requirements with the increasing digitalisation of public services. Experts discussed responsible implementation of new technological solutions, compliance with legal regulations, and practical aspects of ensuring data security in public administration.

The discussion involved representatives of public administration, academia, and legal practitioners specialising in personal data protection. The Personal Data Protection Office was represented by Agata Miłocha from the Department of Law and New Technologies, alongside Paweł Jaroszek, Dr Beata Konieczna‑Drzewiecka and Marcin Maruszczak.

Panel II: “Development of services in public administration and the use of modern technologies”

The second panel, moderated by Piotr Nowicki, Coordinator for Audits and Development Policy at ZUS, focused on the opportunities modern technologies offer to public administration. Participants discussed the development of digital services, the use of artificial intelligence, information security, and the need to ensure a balance between innovation, privacy protection and citizens’ rights.

Panel participants emphasised that data has enormous value, and therefore its responsible use and proper protection are crucial.

The panel featured: Professor Agnieszka Piskorz‑Ryń, Agnieszka Rapcewicz and Damian Bielecki.

The seminar was another joint initiative of the Personal Data Protection Office and the Social Insurance Institution aimed at promoting knowledge about personal data protection and supporting public administration in the responsible implementation of new technologies.