In order to promote a Compliance Code regulating Personal Data Protection in relations to Information Technologies the European Business Association (EBA) initiated and held a meeting on June 20, 2012 devoted to Ukrainian legal practice "On protection of personal data." The discussion brought together representatives of the State Service of Ukraine on Protection of Personal Data, top managers of IT-companies, practicing lawyers and other interested persons.

At some point the Law of Ukraine "On Protection of Personal Data" received mixed reviews from the business community and occasional criticism. But, in practice, it is the IT-companies themselves that are at the forefront of adhering to and implementing the norms of this Law. Most of the IT-services involve the use of personal data, suggesting a clear understanding of and compliance with legislative requirements. A level of protection of personal data in many cases is a necessary prerequisite, without which the Ukrainian IT-companies cannot enter into contracts for the provision of appropriate services to Western European customers. This was confirmed by practical experience that leading market players including Itera Consulting, Sigma Ukraine and EPAM Systems shared with participants of the meeting.

Therefore, in an effort to unify the practical advice in this area, IT-companies working within the EBA framework have developed a compliance code regarding the protection of personal data in relations to information technology. One of its co-authors is Vladyslav Podolyak, attorney with "Vasil Kisil & Partners" law firm. He also gave a presentation reviewing the work done in preparing the Code and its practical value for IT-companies.

Deputy Chairman of the State Service of Ukraine on Protection of Personal Data Volodymyr Kozak, who supported the initiative to develop such compliance code, also spoke at the meeting. The best practices embodied in the code are inherently relevant practical recommendations for IT-companies regarding the application of the Law.

The panellists were unanimous that the management of IT-business in compliance with the legislation for the protection of personal data provides great advantages. After all, it gives you access to the Western European IT-markets, where those seeking the service are thinking of customers' privacy, and therefore look for providers able to provide adequate protection of personal data.

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For more details please contact
Yuliya Chervonookaya,
Head of PR/BD Department
Tel.: +380 44 581 7777
E-mail: pr@vkp.kiev.ua

About the Firm

Established in 1992, Vasil Kisil & Partners is a Ukrainian law firm that delivers integrated legal advice in banking & finance, mergers & acquisitions, capital markets, antitrust, competition and trade, dispute resolution, tax law, energy and natural resources law, intellectual property law, labor and employment law, real estate and construction law, as well as PPP, concessions and infrastructure law.

The firm`s clients include such world-known companies as Alpcot Agro, Africa-Israel Group, Astellas Pharma, BASF, Bayer Consumer, BNP Paribas, British American Tobacco, Central European Media Enterprises, Coca Cola, Credit Agricole Group, Danone, Dell Inc., Du Pont, Energy Standard Group, Eurosport, Google, IKB Deutsche Industriebank, LG Electronics, Leroy Merlin Ukraine, Lukoil, Metso Automation Oy, Moody’s, Mott MacDonald Limited, NCH Capital, Novacke chemicke zavody, Opel, Philips, Pioneer, Red Bull, Russian Standard Bank, St. Sophia Homes, SEB AB, SEB Group, Swedbank AB, Seven Hills, Shell, Standard Charted Bank, Tchibo, UniCredit Group, Vanco International / Vanco Energy, Volkswagen, VympelCom, YouTube.