In 2012, GE and its Privacy practice group continued to expand on our commitment to privacy and personal information protection as a core value for employees, partners and customers, taking responsibility as a thought leader on privacy both within GE and externally.
Within GE, the Privacy team has led and contributed to key efforts in keeping policy, training and awareness fresh and relevant. The team also continues its focus on process, working to address privacy compliance through routine mechanisms such as project toll-gating. In 2012 GE’s Privacy team played an increasingly important role in advising teams addressing key enterprisewide initiatives, such as data loss prevention, the use of cloud computing and the GE Works, HealthAhead and healthymagination campaigns. In late 2012, GE’s Commitment to the Protection of Personal Information was approved by the majority of European Economic Area (EEA) data protection authorities.
In the area of public policy, GE’s Privacy team contributed to the U.S. White House’s February 2012 white paper titled “Consumer Data Privacy in a Networked World: A Framework for Protecting Privacy and Promoting Innovation in the Global Digital Economy,” which included a proposed consumer privacy bill of rights. The GE Privacy team also contributed to consultation on EU Privacy Directive revision and continued to work in 2012 with industry coalitions (AmCham, TAE, COCIR, AFEP) to comment on the proposed EU data protection regulation.
GE Privacy professionals continue to actively participate in the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) and other key privacy organizations and conferences, such as the Global Privacy Alliance. GE’s Executive Counsel for Privacy and Regulatory Affairs in Europe serves on the IAPP’s European Board of Directors.
GE looks forward to continuing to protect personal privacy rights amid the challenges of new data-processing technologies.
