Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright has launched a chatbot powered by artificial intelligence that responds on the new European Union data protection law, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

The chatbot, “Parker”, helps clients in non-EU jurisdictions (including South Africa) to determine whether the GDPR applies to their business. The GDPR replaces the Data Protection Directive and is far-reaching, imposing additional obligations on organisations processing personal data of individuals. Under the GDPR, regulators have significant new powers to fine businesses that do not comply with the new rules. Fines of up to €20-million or four per cent of the firm’s turnover (whichever is greater) can be imposed for the most serious data protection offences. The deadline for compliance is May 25, 2018.

Parker uses natural language processing to answer a wide variety of questions non-EU businesses may have on EU GDPR, including whether the GDPR applies to their business and what activities the rules cover. If you would like to find out whether the GDPR applies to your South African business, you can chat to Parker on our website here.
 
Originally created by the firm’s global head of technology and innovation Nick Abrahams and Sydney-based technology associate Edward Odendaal, Parker first helped businesses to respond to a major change in the Australian data protection notification regime that came into effect on February 22, 2018.
 
Parker now also addresses questions in relation to the GDPR, marking the next step in the data privacy chatbot’s evolution. Norton Rose Fulbright technology senior associate Kerri Crawford of the firm’s Johannesburg office created the GDPR chatbot in conjunction with the firm’s European data protection team.

Norton Rose Fulbright global head of technology and innovation Nick Abrahams commented:

“We are committed to continually enhancing the services we provide to clients across the globe, using technologies like artificial intelligence and drawing upon our extensive in-house knowledge and experience worldwide.
 
“Parker is one of the first AI-powered global data privacy chatbots and in the first 24 hours of its original December 2017 launch, it had over 1000 conversations, enabling clients to access legal information in a new, efficient and cost-effective way.

“Following the successful launch of Parker to address client’s questions on the new Australian data protection notification regime, we wanted to examine the scope of the new EU GDPR - a subject of huge concern to businesses worldwide and which will take effect imminently. The GDPR is the biggest overhaul of European data protection regulation in 20 years. Critically, non-EU businesses are subject to the GDPR depending on the scope of their activities in Europe. Parker quickly and intuitively answers standard questions in relation the new EU data protection rules, enabling clients to take action where needed.

“We believe that legal chatbots have extensive applications for our clients, many of whom have expressed a strong interest in exploring and developing these technologies to help address their most pressing business needs.”

Johannesburg technology senior associate Kerri Crawford said: “South African organisations have largely been focussed on preparing for compliance with South Africa’s forthcoming data protection law, the Protection of Personal Information Act. Those with activities in Europe may not be aware that the GDPR may apply to them too. Chatting to Parker is a quick and easy way to find out.”
 
Norton Rose Fulbright’s global group of dedicated data protection lawyers represents clients from across industries that operate in many corners of the world, each facing a unique set of data protection concerns. The firm also advises clients on complex domestic and cross-border issues associated with both personal and sensitive business data, including its collection, use, storage, disclosure and transfer. Norton Rose Fulbright also counsels clients on legal compliance and business strategy relating to data privacy and security risk management and provides a global 24/7 incident response service in the case of a data breach.