Morocco and Turkey enhance cooperation on data protection

Tuesday 18 February 2025 - 12:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Morocco and Turkey enhance cooperation on data protection

Moroccan National Commission for Control of Personal Data Protection (CNDP) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Turkish Personal Data Protection Authority (KVKK) on Monday in Fez. Now, this new deal intends to enhance cooperation between the two countries on protecting personal data.

It was signed by Omar Seghrouchni, the CNDP’s president, and Faruk Bilir, the KVKK’s president. It aims to align the work of the two agencies to promote the protection of personal data in their geographic areas.

Seghrouchni underscored the strategic positioning of both countries, such as Turkey, as a link between Asia and Europe, and Morocco, as a crossroads between Europe and Africa, as making this accord all the more important. “We have similar concerns and similar orientations, and we hope to [make] real accomplishments in this field,” he said.

The signing comes just in time for a large meeting for the network of authorities that protect personal data internationally in the Islamic world, which is to be held in Fez on Tuesday and Wednesday. This meeting comes on the heels of a session last year in Istanbul, Turkey.

"The Fez meeting will be attended by many authorities, including various African authorities, Turkey and academics from other countries," Seghrouchni said. This underscores the increasing significance of global collaboration in tackling data protection issues.

The CNDP, which was established pursuant to the February 2009 legislation on the protection of individuals regarding the processing of personal data, guarantees that data processing activities are legal, respect privacy, and recognize fundamental human rights and freedoms.