GROUP DESCRIPTION

The ETIS Data Privacy Working Group is a trusted peer community of Data Protection Officers, senior legal and compliance experts, and privacy professionals from European telecom operators and key industry suppliers.

The group provides a confidential environment to exchange knowledge, use cases, and implementation practices around data protection, compliance, and privacy innovation. Members collaborate on regulatory adaptation, organizational challenges, and technological impact — shaping privacy strategies across the telecom sector.

KEY FOCUS AREAS IN 2025-2026:

• Regulatory Strategy:  We track and interpret major regulatory changes affecting telecoms, including GDPR, the AI Act, E-Privacy. Members discuss practical implementation, breach notification thresholds, and future-looking regulatory risks.

• AI & Innovation:  The group actively monitors AI developments and their implications for privacy. Topics include conducting AI-specific DPIAs, embedding privacy by design in automated systems, and managing risk in use cases across HR, marketing, and customer operations. We also address data monetization and innovation aligned with privacy principles.

• Data Governance:  We explore governance models, roles and responsibilities across departments, and how to structure effective privacy offices. Topics include data retention and deletion practices, internal audits, and the legal and operational implications of emerging data ecosystems like European Data Spaces.

• Vendor & Risk Management:  Discussions cover third-party compliance, vendor audit frameworks, and best practices for managing privacy obligations in cloud environments and complex supply chains. We also address how to align contractual obligations with internal accountability models.

• Awareness & Inclusion:  A key focus is building a culture of privacy within organizations. This includes employee training on breach reporting and data lifecycle management, creative awareness campaigns (eg, gamification), and strategies to ensure privacy in services designed for vulnerable users. Sustainability and ethical data stewardship are also emerging themes.

PARTICIPANT PROFILE:

The group welcomes professionals with operational or strategic responsibilities for privacy, data protection, and compliance within telecom organizations and key vendors. Typical roles include:

• Data Protection Officers (DPOs) 

• Senior Legal & Compliance Counsel

• Privacy & Risk Managers

• Security & Governance Leads

• Heads of Data Office or Data Governance

HOW WE WORK:

• 2 In-Person Meetings per Year:  Held every June and January, these are full two-day events, providing deep-dive discussions, presentations, and networking in a closed, trusted environment.

• 4-6 Online Activities per Year:  We organize targeted webinars, roundtables, and virtual knowledge exchanges throughout the year, depending on member demand. These virtual sessions provide ongoing engagement and cover a variety of formats:

  • Peer-Led Knowledge Exchanges: Members share current projects, successes, and lessons learned through presentations, roundtables, and open discussions.

  • Expert Sessions: Invited specialists offer insights on emerging trends, tools, and methodologies shaping digital sales and customer experience.

  • Benchmarks & Surveys: Group-wide surveys collect comparative data to identify trends, challenges, and best practices across operators.

PARTICIPATING COMPANIES:

A1 Austria, A1 Hrvatska, Altice Portugal, CYTA, Deutsche Telekom, Elisa, Ericsson, GO Malta, Hrvatski Telekom, Huawei, Infobip, KPN, LMT, NOS, Nokia, Oracle, OTE, Proximus, Telenet, TDC, Swisscom, Telenor, Telia, Tet. 

(and growing)

GROUP COORDINATOR:

The Data Privacy Working Group is coordinated by Ruxandra Cioban (rc@etis.org) , who facilitates all activities, supports member engagement, and ensures smooth collaboration across the group.

For any questions or to learn more about how to get involved, don't hesitate to reach out.

Working Group confidentiality rules can be accessed  here .

Display map with group members