Welcome To The Common Thread Network (CTN) Website

Bringing together the data protection and privacy authorities of Commonwealth countries, the Common Thread Network is a global endeavour, with representation from Europe, Africa, Asia, the Pacific, the Americas and the Caribbean.

The Common Thread Network (CTN) are a forum for data protection and privacy authorities who bring together the data protection and privacy authorities of Commonwealth countries, with representation from Europe, Africa, Asia, the Pacific, the Americas and the Caribbean.

CTN comprises countries representing all stages of the evolution of data protection and privacy regimes: from countries yet to introduce privacy legislation, to countries with newly established data protection regimes that are educating controllers or undertaking enforcement activity for the very first time, through to countries with mature frameworks and established supervisory authorities that are working to modernise their instruments to make them fit for the 21st century.

We invite you any Commonwealth government to join us, even if you may do not yet have data protection legislation and/or a corresponding regulator to join the Common Thread Network, you can join as an Observer. This openness to both established and nascent data protection cultures underscores the essence of the modern-day Commonwealth as an association of equal countries, thus affirming a role for CTN in advocating for the differing needs of Member States, from policy advice to delivering technical assistance.

We focus on promoting cross-border cooperation and building capacity by sharing knowledge on emerging trends, regulatory changes and best practices for effective data protection. On this website, you will find information about the network, its Members and Observers, and it plans and activity.