Data protection in a changing world

On 7 July 2025, at the Personal Data Protection Week 2025 held in Singapore, the Minister of Digital Development and Information, Ms. Josephine Teo, delivered an inspiring opening speech, emphasizing the importance of data protection, especially personal data in the context of a rapidly changing world. With the theme "Data Protection in a Changing World"[1], her speech addressed the challenges and opportunities that the development of technology, especially artificial intelligence (AI), brings in the field of data governance. This article will delve into the key takeaways from her speech and examine how Singapore is shaping a secure and reliable digital future.

A world that is changing rapidly

The explosion of digital technology in the past decade has fundamentally changed the way we live, work and interact. Personal data, from financial information to consumption habits, has become a valuable resource, driving innovation and economic growth. However, the increase in the scale and speed of data usage, especially with the advent of AI, also poses new challenges in terms of privacy and security.

In his speech, Minister Teo emphasized that the world is undergoing far-reaching changes, not only in terms of technology but also in how organizations and individuals manage data. "We're seeing a rapid shift in the way data is used and managed, especially with the development of artificial intelligence," she said. The increase in AI adoption at scale has highlighted the urgent need to establish standards to ensure data is used safely and responsibly.

The question is, how can we harness the potential of data and AI to drive innovation, while protecting the rights of individuals and organizations? The answer, according to Minister Teo, lies in building a digital ecosystem based on trust. It is a platform for businesses and individuals to confidently innovate without worrying about risks related to data.

"Innovation with trust, transformation with data"

The sub-theme of Personal Data Protection Week 2025, "Innovating with Trust, Transforming with Data", reflects Singapore's vision of a digital future where high-quality data drives meaningful change, while ensuring stakeholder trust. Minister Teo emphasized that data is not only an economic asset but also a tool to create social value, from improving public services to improving business efficiency.

However, to achieve this, trust is the key factor. "Innovators need to maintain trust, so that stakeholders and society at large continue to support experimentation and innovation," Ms. Teo affirmed. This belief does not come naturally; It must be built through strong governance frameworks, clear standards, and close collaboration between stakeholders in the data chain.

Singapore – A pioneer in data governance and AI

Singapore has long been at the forefront of building data governance and AI frameworks. Since 2012, the country has proactively established guidelines and regulations to ensure that personal data is protected, while encouraging innovation. One of the notable recent developments is the launch of  the Model AI Governance Framework for generative AI in May 2024[2]. This framework proposes 9 key aspects for building a trusted AI ecosystem, including:

1. Define liability: Clarify the responsibilities of parties in the AI value chain.
2. AI model lifecycle management: Ensure that the stages of developing, deploying, and maintaining an AI model are handled responsibly.
3. Risk mitigation: Handle threats such as cybersecurity, misinformation, and ethical issues related to AI.

These aspects not only help to mitigate risks but also facilitate the creative and responsible use of AI. For example, businesses can use AI to analyze customer data to improve products or services, without compromising personal privacy.

In addition, Singapore has upgraded  the Data Protection Trustmark (DPTM) to a new national standard, Singapore Standard 714[3]. This is an important step forward in establishing "soft" standards to encourage businesses to comply with data protection regulations,  and lay the foundation for future formal standards.

ASEAN Regional Cooperation Towards Unity

As Chair of the 2024 ASEAN Digital Ministers' Meeting (ADGMIN), Singapore has played an important role in promoting data governance and convergence in the ASEAN region. One of the prominent initiatives is  the ASEAN Guidelines on Data Anonymity[4], which is scheduled to launch in early 2026. This guidance will provide a practical framework for businesses in the region to anonymize their data, thereby using it more securely and responsibly.

This regional cooperation not only helps ASEAN businesses operate effectively across borders but also strengthens the region's position in the context of digital globalization. "We hope to create a better environment for ASEAN businesses to operate seamlessly across borders," Minister Teo emphasized. By promoting convergence in data governance, ASEAN can build a unified digital ecosystem where data is used to drive economic growth while ensuring privacy.

Privacy Protection Technologies (PETs) and AI Verify

One of the highlights of the speech was the promotion of Privacy Protection Technologies (PETs), which allow businesses to extract value from data without compromising customer privacy. Through PETs, for example, banks can aggregate data to build AI models to detect fraud more effectively, while protecting customers' personal information. This not only brings economic benefits but also strengthens consumer confidence in financial institutions.

In addition, Singapore has developed AI Verify, a testing framework and software toolkit to help organizations evaluate AI models for potential risks. Through Project Moonshot[5], Singapore has expanded AI Verify to include generative AI applications, making it more transparent for businesses about how they use AI. "This transparency is an important factor for building trust," Minister Teo emphasized.

Challenges and opportunities for the future

Although Singapore has made much progress in building a trusted digital ecosystem, there are still many challenges ahead. The rapid development of AI, especially generative AI, raises new questions about ethics, cybersecurity, and misinformation. Also, issues such as how to balance innovation and privacy protection? How do you ensure that data protection standards are applied uniformly across the globe? It is always a difficult question to put on the table of management agencies as well as the legal system of each country.

Minister Teo said that the establishment of global standards will take time and will need to go through many stages. However, she is optimistic that with close cooperation between governments, businesses and international organizations, we can reach a consensus on what is considered "good" in the field of data protection and AI governance.

Minister Josephine Teo's speech at Personal Data Protection Week 2025 was not only a call to action but also a reminder of the importance of trust in the digital age. "Innovation with Belief" is not just a slogan, but a strategic goal to ensure that technological advancements benefit society as a whole, while minimizing risks.

Singapore, as a pioneer in data governance and AI, is laying the foundations for a secure and sustainable digital future. From upgrading data protection standards to promoting ASEAN regional cooperation and developing technologies such as PETs and AI Verify, the country is proving that innovation and trust are not two opposing concepts, but can complement each other to create sustainable value.

Personal Data Protection Week 2025 brought together more than 1,500 in-person delegates and thousands of other participants, including data protection authorities from ASEAN and other countries. This event is not only a platform for sharing ideas, but also an affirmation that, in a changing world, the protection of personal data is an urgent task and requires global cooperation.

As we enter a new era of digital technology, Secretary Teo's message is very clear that innovate with trust, transform with data, and together build a digital future where everyone is protected and empowered.

Lawyer Nguyen Van Phuc

HM&P Law Firm