Some countries deny the existence of different sexual orientations; therefore, under their data protection laws, personal information related to an individual’s sexual orientation or gender reassignment does not have any protected status. However, countries with more advanced legal regimes recognize that those data merit a reinforced level of protection, and that the concept of data related to sexual orientation shall encompass data related to an individual’s sex life or gender reassignment as well. This workshop aims to provide a global overview of the level of protection granted to these categories of personal information in different jurisdictions all over the world, together with a practical explanation of the challenges and legal requirements for organizations handling personal information related to their customers’, users’, or employees’ sexual orientation and gender/gender identity. Furthermore, this workshop aims to present the different possible interpretations of the notion of “personal information related to sexual orientation and gender/gender identity” and the unwanted consequences of a broad interpretation for companies handling those data when providing services to their customers.

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