Regulators Met to Discuss Digitalization and Data Privacy
The CBP BES presented a new policy paper to Curaçao’s Acting Governor to address data protection standards.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Cybersecurity
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The Data Protection Supervisory Commission for Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba (CBP BES) met with Acting Governor of Curaçao Ruthsella Jansen. The commission delivered a policy paper focused on personal data protection within the context of increasing digitalization.
Why it matters
This meeting highlights the efforts to harmonize privacy standards across the Caribbean Netherlands and the broader Kingdom of the Netherlands. It emphasizes the need for consistent regulatory oversight as administrative systems move toward digital formats.
The consultation marks an official effort to unify privacy practices across four distinct island jurisdictions. While the policy paper is currently under review, the primary benchmark remains the existing data protection standards observed in the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The players
CBP BES
The independent supervisory authority responsible for enforcing personal data protection laws across Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba.
Ruthsella Jansen
The Acting Governor of Curaçao who received the digitalization and data protection policy proposal.
Glenn Thodé
The Chairman of the CBP BES who led the delegation during the policy consultation.
The details
The CBP BES serves as the independent authority tasked with overseeing the processing of personal data across the Caribbean Netherlands. During the meeting in Curaçao, the delegation presented documentation outlining a strategy for managing digitalization—the transition to digital information systems—while ensuring compliance with privacy protections. This process aims to standardize how sensitive information is handled by government and public entities.
Timeline
January 2026: CBP BES held a symposium on Bonaire.
October 5, 2026: CBP BES met with Acting Governor Ruthsella Jansen in Curaçao.
The Tech Race
This effort follows a pattern set by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in mandating unified privacy protections across international administrative regions. The commission is working to ensure that digital transformation does not outpace the regulatory safeguards established by current privacy law.
Residents and businesses in the Caribbean Netherlands should expect future changes to how personal data is collected and managed as these policy proposals are implemented. The adoption of these standards will likely require local institutions to update their internal data processing workflows.
The takeaway
The meeting signals a shift toward formalizing digital oversight in the region to match broader international standards. Observers should track subsequent legislative updates or announcements from the CBP BES regarding the specific enforcement mechanisms proposed in the new policy paper.
Further reading
For more information on the evolving standards for digital privacy, visit the Cybersecurity section.
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Do you trust that your government currently has adequate measures in place to protect personal data?
