"It is interesting that Data Protection Day was established by the Council of Europe, which is a human rights organisation," she said. "It recognised the importance of personal data and that a change in perspective is necessary so that our human rights are viewed both ethically and legally."

"Our aim is to ensure there is a cultural shift in society in terms of attitudes to people’s data and this comes from individuals, business and government. The law is a starting point and not an end point and the protection of personal data should be embedded and demanded in all areas of life."

Addressing those in attendance at the networking event, Mrs Martins said people's growing aversion to single use plastics is a good example of a cultural and behaviour change that she hopes will happen with data protection over time. 

"I would like to think there’s a day in the future where we don’t need a data protection day," she said. 

"If you can build a culture that does the right thing with data then you will approach it differently. It is not this room that is in our sights, it is those who don’t know it is Data Protection Day."

Pictured top: Emma Martins.