February

The European Union aims to conclude a deal to allow businesses to seamlessly transfer personal data between the bloc and Japan by early next year, building on the recent agreement on a free trade pact.

Cross-border data flows are key to most businesses, but strict EU data protection rules forbid companies from storing European’s information on servers in countries deemed to have an inadequate level of privacy. As a result, firms have to rely on other more complex legal contracts. However, EU Justice Commissioner Vera Jourova has announced the EU is committed to adopting a decision to declare Japan 's data protection framework “adequate” by early next year. 

Kathmandu Police have busted a forgery racket involving eight persons and have seized a large number of fake government seals. The suspects allegedly produced and sold National Examination Board transcripts, as well as a variety of other certificates and supporting documents.

The suspects allegedly maintained a system where some were assigned to find potential clients while the others forged the seals and signatures. Police have allegedly seized dozens of forged papers, certificates and equipment that the suspects used in the process. The suspects will be charged with forging government seal and signature forgery.

The Philippines has joined the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Cross-Border Privacy Enforcement Arrangement (CPEA), becoming the 11th Privacy Enforcement Authority (PEA) of the network.

The Philippines joined other APEC economies in the network including Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, South Korea, and the United States. The network is under the Cross-Border Privacy Rules (CBPR) System, a regional, multilateral initiative that facilitates information sharing, provides mechanisms to promote effective cross-border privacy cooperation, and encourages information sharing and cooperation with authorities outside the 21 APEC- member economies.

Joining the CPEA also opens opportunities for the Philippine government to cooperate with other countries on information sharing and to help resolve issues regarding data privacy.