International Conference | Legal Dimensions of Refugee Data Protection | University of Mysore | UNHCR (New Delhi) | DNLU (Jabalpur) | Kalu Institute (Spain) | Karnataka University | Online Mode | Register by 10th Jan 2026!
The rapid integration of digital technologies into refugee management systems has transformed the way states, international organizations, and humanitarian agencies collect, store, and process refugee data. While these technologies enhance efficiency, coordination, and service delivery, they also give rise to complex legal and ethical challenges. One of the foremost challenges is the absence of a uniform international legal framework governing
refugee data protection. Refugee data is often collected across jurisdictions by multiple actors, including host states, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, and private technology providers. This fragmented ecosystem results in inconsistent data protection standards, regulatory overlaps, and accountability gaps, leaving refugees vulnerable to data misuse, unauthorized sharing, and surveillance. Another pressing concern is the tension between humanitarian objectives and state security
interests. Refugee data is frequently shared with government authorities for border management, security screening, and immigration control. In the absence of clear legal safeguards, such data-sharing practices can undermine the principles of confidentiality, non- refoulement, and informed consent, potentially exposing refugees to persecution, discrimination, or forced return.
The increasing reliance on biometric technologies, such as fingerprinting, facial recognition, and iris scanning, presents significant legal challenges. While biometric systems help prevent identity fraud and ensure aid distribution, they involve the collection of highly sensitive personal data. Weak regulatory oversight, inadequate consent mechanisms, and limited redressal avenues raise serious concerns regarding proportionality, necessity, and long-term data retention.
Cross-border data transfers further complicate refugee data protection. Refugee data is often stored in cloud-based systems or transferred across national boundaries, triggering questions about jurisdiction, applicable law, and enforcement. Variations in national data protection regimes particularly between developed and developing countries make it difficult to ensure consistent compliance with international human rights standards. Additionally, refugees frequently lack digital literacy and effective legal remedies, impairing their ability to understand how their data is used or to challenge violations of their privacy rights. Structural power imbalances between data controllers and refugees exacerbate risks of exploitation and exclusion, particularly when access to essential services is made conditional upon data disclosure. The growing involvement of private technology companies in refugee data management introduces further challenges related to data ownership, commercial exploitation, algorithmic bias, and transparency. Existing legal frameworks often fail to adequately regulate public–private partnerships in humanitarian contexts, resulting in unclear lines of responsibility and oversight. In this evolving technological environment, the challenge lies in striking a balance between innovation and protection ensuring that digital tools serve humanitarian goals without compromising the fundamental rights, dignity, and safety of refugees. Addressing these challenges requires coordinated legal reforms, rights- based data governance models, and stronger international cooperation. The Conference provides a critical forum to explore these issues and to develop principled legal responses to safeguard refugee data in the digital age.
15th and 16th January 2026
Online
DAY 1: Normative, Legal, and Human Rights Dimensions:
DAY 2: Technology, Governance, and Policy Futures:
Certificate:
✔ E-Certificates will be issued to registered participants.
Registration Link:
Registration Deadline: 10th January 2026
For inquiries, please contact: dos@law.uni-mysore.ac.in
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