The twinning project between the Israeli Law, Information and Technology Authority (ILITA), the data protection authority in Israel, and it's counterpart in Spain the Agencia Española de Protección de Datos (AEPD) was set in motion on June 3rd, 2009.
The objective of this project is to strengthen data protection in Israel and it is comprised of three elements.
The first is dedicated to the institutional enrichment of ILITA as an Israeli data protection authority. This will include staff training, analysis and outlining of procedures and the structure of a strategic plan for the future of ILITA in accordance with the legal framework in Israel.
The second will include sectorial workshops and activities which will result in the elaboration of data protection guidelines relating to major public and private sectors: i.e. public administration, national and public security, telecommunications, internet, banking, insurance, marketing, health, education and workplace. In addition, this will include the elaboration of guidelines dealing with international data transfers and the role of the Chief Privacy Officer (CPO).
The third one is aimed at raising awareness to data protection in the Israeli society, in citizens as data subjects as well as processors of personal data in the public and private sectors. For this, a set of polls has been foreseen to asses the level of awareness as a starting point to the formation of a communication plan. Concurrently, three international conferences will be hosted by ILITA in Israel with the participation of senior representatives from leading data protection authorities in Europe in which the major current issues in data protection will be addressed.
The project, which spans over 18 months, is financed by the European Union and is framed in accordance with the EU-Israel Action Plan, adopted on 11 April 2005, which requires particular attention to promoting the shared values of both parties, and strengthening police and judicial co-operation. This project is aimed at personal data protection as a common value for the EU and Israel.