On December 4, Brazil lost professor and lawyer Danilo Doneda. For those who are not familiar with his work, Danilo can be considered the father of one of the most important topics related to technology in Brazil: the so-called “protection of personal data”.
We live in a society where data is often referred to as “the new oil”. But just like oil, data also leaks. And when that happens, they produce environmental damage that is difficult to repair, affecting the lives of countless people.
For decades, this topic was practically unknown in the country. Despite the arrival of the commercial internet in the 1990s and its rapid growth in the 2000s, the issue of personal data remained incipient. So much so that, despite having a constitutional provision, the country did not have any specific legislation dealing with the subject, only sparse norms in some laws.
All that started to change in 2006. It was when Danilo released his book “From Privacy to Personal Data Protection”, a pioneer in the debate on the subject in Brazil. Working in collaboration with Professor Laura Schertel, Danilo gradually built up a whole field of studies and analyzes on data protection in Brazil. His work culminated in the approval of the General Data Protection Act in 2018.
I met Danilo through Professor Carlos Affonso, when we ran the Center for Technology and Society at the Getulio Vargas Foundation. I confess that when I came into contact with his ideas in 2007, I did not pay due attention. We were all committed to building the Civil Rights Framework for the Internet, which at that time was taking the form of a national public consultation. Data protection seemed like a chapter to be developed later. Big mistake.
I can say that it was Danilo Doneda who taught me about data protection. Or rather, it was with him that all of Brazil learned about this topic. Thanks to his commitment, diplomacy and resilience, this field has gained increasing importance. In 2010, still at FGV, we launched the first public consultation on the construction of the General Data Protection Law, all because of his work and dedication.
Our paths continued to cross. We worked together as teachers in Rio de Janeiro. Danilo joined the Institute of Technology and Society in its inception and was a consultant for numerous projects we carried out. On November 29, 2022, our paths were supposed to cross again. We would be together at a big AB2L event in São Paulo. I went to the panel hoping to see him again, but Danilo didn’t show up. I thought it strange, he never missed an appointment.
The next day I found out about his delicate state of health and that he was saying goodbye to his family, friends and colleagues. With a broken heart and praying for him, I managed to send one last message through his wife. Danilo was a jurist, a friend, a warrior and a teacher. As one who has knowledge, he taught. But like someone with wisdom, he also knew how to listen. We have a collective duty to honor and continue his legacy.
It’s over – there is no data protection culture in Brazil
Already – Brazil has a Data Protection Law, thanks to the commitment of Danilo Doneda
It’s coming – Discussions on a law on artificial intelligence in Brazil, in which Danilo also participated
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