Plan for independent data protection ratings agency a winner

A proposal to establish an independent data protection ratings agency in Ireland has won a prestigious student innovation competition.

The winning plan, from Conor Leavy, a final year law student in DCU, would see the agency being set up to showcase Ireland as a destination with the highest data protection ethics and practices in Europe.

The proposal has won the 2017 A&L Goodbody Bold Ideas student innovation award in a competition judged by three experts, including Sarah Lennon, legal counsel at Google Ireland.

"Conor's idea to establish the Irish Data Protection Ratings Agency impressed the judges as an innovative and unique way to encourage businesses to establish here," said John Whelan, head of A&L Goodbody's commercial and technology group.

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As first prize winner, Mr Leavy receives €4,000 in cash and an internship in A&L Goodbody’s head office in Dublin. The legal firm will also make a donation to a charity of his choice.

The runners up in this year's competition, Dylan Markey from Maynooth University and Áine McCarthy from Trinity College Dublin, both received iPad minis.