Introduction 

In democratic societies, the protection of individuals’ privacy is closely connected to the preservation of civil liberties, which in turn highlights the essential role that privacy rights play in sustaining democratic principles and fostering civic engagement. This enriching session will focus on the multifaceted ways in which privacy and democracy intersect, shaping the aspects of discourse, governance, and participation in society. It will also give the floor to various high-level experts to present their views on the relationship between privacy and democracy. 

Key questions and objectives 

• How do privacy and democracy interact with each other?
• Can democracy exist without privacy?
• Can privacy exist without independent and democratic oversight of government access to personal data?