Operator data security remains underestimated issue globally
Events IAGA SUMMIT San Francisco 2019
Dr. Simon Planzer, Partner at PLANZER LAW - Gaming and Entertainment Practice
Enhancing cyber and data security is the most frequently cited priority among companies, and within the gaming industry it is likely the largest threat faced by global businesses from all industry segments. According to Dr. Planzer, a leading European expert on gaming regulation, a major threat in relation to cyber security for gaming operators is the fact that the data security issue is still highly underestimated. Speaking on the Cybersecurity panel at the forthcoming IAGA Summit, Dr. Planzer elaborates on this subject
Why do you think it is so risky to underestimate data protection?
You need years to build consumers’ trust, but you can lose it within minutes, for instance due to data leaks. Terefore, operators are well advised to prioritise data protection and comply with new international standards, like the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
So you are saying data protection is crucial for business success?
Exactly. Te Internet of Tings (IoT) for example offers fantastic new possibilities. Imagine a room that automatically recognises who is playing in it. No passwords needed, applications start automatically and games continue where you left them. All this would happen instantly. Yet, new technological possibilities must be accompanied by adequate security measures to conquer customers. Why would they otherwise trust and use these new games? Data security is a ‘must,’ not a ‘nice to have.’
What is the trend in the gaming industry?
Te gaming industry uses more and more online communication and other technology tools and collects personal data of the users on a large scale. However, gaming operations will only be able to successfully and sustainably exploit the greatest opportunities presented by technology when matching these technologies with the appropriate security measures.
Why should European regulation, notably the GDPR, bother companies in North America and elsewhere?
Have you ever sent a newsletter and some of the recipients are located in Europe? Do you analyse the traffic of your website with Google Analytics and your website is accessible from Europe? You might be surprised to hear that GDPR applies in these situations, even if your company is located in the US and targets customers in the US and the website is hosted in the US.
Is Europe on a mission to impose new international standards?
While the ultimate international effects are still to be seen, the GDPR is likely to set new international standards – not only new European standards. Tis is not only due to the afore-described extensive territorial scope of the regulation. Te regulation came out in the midst of major international data privacy breaches. Finally, it may simply be easier for international company to implement one set of rules, that is, the strictest regulatory standard, as opposed to implementing different standards in their business practices.
We hear about substantive fines. Can it be expected that these will remain exceptions?
Only a few months after the new standards entered into force the French data protection authority imposed a penalty of €50m against Google for GDPR breaches. Notably, the provided information to users was regarded as inadequate and not sufficiently transparent. Furthermore, Google failed to get valid consent from their users regarding the personalisation of ads. I see no indications as to why high fines could be considered as simply outliers. We see similar developments of high fines in relation to AML breaches, for instance, in the UK.
Author of numerous publications on gaming and technology matters, Dr. Planzer is a lecturer in law at the University of
St.Gallen, Switzerland. In June, Mr. Planzer is a panelist on the Cyber Security and Data Privacy panel at the 2019 IAGA Gaming Summit in Half Moon Bay (CA) . e:
planzer@planzer-law.com
www.planzer-law.com
The gaming industry uses more and more online communication and other technology tools and collects personal data of the users on a large scale. But gaming operations will only be able to successfully and sustainably seize most technology opportunities when matching these technologies with appropriate security measures.
This seems scary from a businesses’ perspective.
True, companies have to be aware of the regulatory risks. Tis regards not only large companies; the GDPR affects SMEs too.
How must companies prepare themselves?
Tere are many issues to consider. Just to mention some: they must analyse what data they collect and how they use that data, ensure that they move on solid ground in relation to their data processing policy, get user consent and accurately document everything.
Thank you, Dr. Planzer. We are eager to learn more about these issues at the cyber security and data privacy panel of this year’s IAGA summit.
Glad to provide further information together with my fellow panelists.
NEWSWIRE / INTERACTIVE / MARKET DATA P85
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124
