Paula Meira Lourenço holds a PhD in Civil Law from the Faculty of Law of the University of Lisbon (2018), and a Master degree from the same Faculty (2003), where she is also a Professor.

Since 2023, Professor Paula Meira Lourenço is the President of the Portuguese Data Protection Supervisory Authority (Comissão Nacional de Proteção de Dados - CNPD), after being elected by the Parliament on May 11th 2023.

She was also President of the Commission for the Efficiency of Enforcement Procedures (Comissão para a Eficácia das Execuções - CPEE), from 2009 to 2012, and Member of the Board of Directors the Portuguese Telecom National Regulator (Autoridade Nacional de Comunicações - ANACOM), from 2018 to 2023.

She was also an Advisor of several Members of the Portuguese Government (the Secretary of State for Justice, from 2000 to 2022; and the Secretary of State for Home Affairs and the Secretary of State for the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, from 2005 to 2009), and was also a Legal Adviser in the Portuguese Securities Market Commission (since 2002).

She is the author of several books and articles and a regular speaker in various forums, conferences and seminars, at national and international level.

She speaks 6 Languages: Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, English, French and German.

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On May 11th 2023, in her speech at the Parliament, the President of the Portuguese Data Protection Supervisory Authority, set her objective to promote an enhanced culture of dialogue with all stakeholders and raise more awareness on the mission of CNPD, with a view to strengthening the protection of data subjects’ rights, especially on protecting children and young people in a digital environment.

Paula Meira Lourenço stated it is essential to bring together for discussions economic agents, public bodies, academia and researchers, in order to undo the myth that economic development in the digital age is a disruptive factor to the rights, freedoms and safeguards of individuals in the processing of personal data, or vice versa. She believes that innovation and progress can, and should, go hand-in-hand with the protection of personal data and privacy.

She also pointed out that the CNPD should be pedagogical to companies to support them in resolving issues, and then it should be strict towards those who do not have robust data protection. The CNPD must ensure close and effective, risk-based supervision, accompanied by an effective and demanding sanctioning action.

She also highlighted the importance of closer cooperation with other national data protection authorities, as well as with other public, European and international bodies, in particular to be prepared to face the future challenges of digital age. The new President of CNPD is committed to reinforce the PT SA resources and to improve the functioning of the Data Protection Authority.