Data protection and privacy is now integral to every part of business. Emma Ritchie, KPMG Law LLP's head of data protection and privacy, explains how it has become an important part of the firm's offering.
The recent Future Horizons event in Dublin heard of the cyber security risks facing Ireland and the slew of new laws coming for companies. It concluded there is a severe lack of people in the sector who can deal with emerging issues.
Brussels has a passion for regulation across a huge range of sectors from tech to finance and everything in between. However, there is a growing body of opinion that the policy is doing more harm than good.
The Data Protection Commission has accepted technical proposals by social media giant Meta on the transfer of data from European users to the US after imposing a record fine on the Irish-headquartered firm.
Google Ireland claims the watchdog's inquiry into consumer complaints is unlawful and could damage the tech company if harmful or commercially sensitive information is improperly disclosed.
The judicial review case, believed to concern a Data Protection Commission inquiry into Google's user account creation process, is the latest in a wave of big tech cases against the body.
Meta has been unequivocal that the DPC's landmark €1.2bn fine for privacy breaches represents an existential threat to Facebook's future in Europe. The Currency looks at some of the flints on the social media giant's bow.
The Chinese-owned social media platform has already made it clear it is not happy with the regulator's decision. Now TikTok has lodged a judicial review aimed at overturning the Data Protection Commission's findings.
Following an EU court ruling, Meta has now agreed to change how it planned to comply with GDPR rules. The upshot is it may have to offer a paid, ad-free version of its products to European users served out of Dublin.
With just a year left in the job, Data Protection Commissioner Helen Dixon takes on her critics and explains why the privacy watchdog is delivering the goods.
© 2026 Currency Media Limited
