Christophe Fichet is a Partner in the Data Privacy & Cybersecurity practice group at Hughes Hubbard & Reed’s Paris office. He has developed leading sector experience in both active and passive IT infrastructures and services dedicated to electronic communications in France, as well as throughout the Middle East and Africa. His clients have included leading international operators, advisory and investment banks, and international funds like the World Bank. He also advises governments and regulation authorities on the implementation of regulatory frameworks, licensing and privatization processes in several countries.
In addition, Fichet’s practice includes advising major technology companies as well as clients in the life sciences, banking and finance industries on the use of digital technologies. He assists companies on the complex challenges that come with transitioning to digital platforms, and has advised on matters relating to data processing, management systems, digital monetization and transfer, digitalization of processes, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and blockchain.
In addition to his legal practice, Christophe is a lecturer on telecommunications contacts in the master law degree Space and Telecommunications Law of the University of Paris Saclay, and in the master law degree Digital Law of the University of Rennes 1. He is the author of numerous articles and books and a frequent speaker at conferences across Europe and Africa.
Recognition
Recognized in Chambers Europe 2022 TMT: Telecommunications
Recognized in Chambers Global Africa-Wide 2022 TMT
Recommended in The Legal 500 United States 2019 edition in “Private Practice Powerlist Africa Specialist”
Recognized by Décideurs Magazine in the 2018 Africa Guide as an “outstanding lawyer” in Telecoms Media and Technology
Highlighted Publications
Co-author, "On ne bricole pas avec le RGPD", Avis d'experts, Usine Nouvelle, July 2021
Co-author, "Législation européenne sur l’intelligence artificielle : où en sommes-nous ?", La Lettre des Juristes d’Affaires, April 2020
Co-author, "Le double paradoxe de l’application StopCovid", Le Grand Continent, April 2020
“France in the Starting Blocks to Become the EU Blockchain Nation”, Data Economy, February 2019
“French protective public policy framework for operation of new generation mobile radio network device”, Elexica, September 2019
“Le droit et la technologie blockchain : une approche sectorielle”, Revue Contrats - Concurrence - Consommation - N° 10 - Lexis Nexis, October 2017
“The French Investment Plan for 2018 – 2022 and Digital Health” – Digital Health Legal review, November 2017
“AFAPDP weighs in on mass surveillance and health data”, Data Protection Law & Policy, August 2015
“eHealth implications of the Digital Single Market Strategy”, eHealth Law and Policy, July 2015
“Setting the legal foundations for a secure digital continent (data protection law & policy), strategic analysis” by Data Guidance, Volume 12, Issue 1, January 2015
Highlighted Interviews and Lectures
Interview, "Le phénomène et fléau grandissant de la cybercriminalité dont sont victimes les organisations privées et publiques", SMART LEX, May 2021
Chairman of the "Data Privacy: New Scale and Global Reach" conference at the Trustech event (leading event for digital trust technologies), in Cannes, November 2019
Speaker at the Professional Association of Pharmaceutical companies, LEEM, on data challenges for the pharmaceutical industry in Africa, September 2019
Speaker at the conference on the GDPR “Lessons from the last 12 months”, Paris, June 2019
Conference on legal and regulatory challenges of cryptocurrencies (with Ledger), event organized by SIA Partners, Paris, June 2019
Organizer and speaker at the Digital Health event with Guerbet, Orange Healthcare and IBM Watson Health, April 2019
Speaker at CIAN on digital health challenges in Africa, March 2019
Organizer and speaker of panel “E-health Africa” during the E-health Summit of Monaco, March 2019
Speaker on “Challenges of Data Monetization and alternative data in the financial sector”, Paris, January 2019
Organizer and speaker of the panel on Blockchain during the Monaco Blockchain Event, November 2018
Speaker at Trustech annual event on cybersecurity of payment systems, Cannes, November 2018
Conference on data challenges in the telecoms industry, Johannesburg, November 2018
Speaker at the DataCloud Africa Leadership Summit in Marrakech, September 2018
Highlighted Matters
Representation of a leading European software provider on the transfer of several licenses within the context of the acquisition of a division owned by a leading French group.
Representation of an international software provider for contractual, litigation and mediation matters.
Representation of a pharmaceutical company regarding data management.
Representation of an international telecommunications group regarding personal data processing in several countries.
Representation of an international fund on the acquisition of a high-tech company for an amount of €1.3 billion.
Representation of an infrastructure provider within the context of a call for tenders for the deployment and operation of infrastructures.
Representation of a pan-African operator on regulatory, regulation (including data/cybersecurity), and commercial matters in eight countries.
Representation of a European provider regarding the supply of wholesale services from a landing station in France.
Representation of an international vendor within the context of radioelectric frequency issues with relevant French authorities.
Representation of a leading international hardware and software vendor in relation to data breaches.
Representation of the regulatory authority of Mauritania (ARE) to set up the process for allocating 4G licenses.
Representation software and e-health application publishers on issues related to hosting health data and sharing patients’ data.
Representation of a medical company in implementing dispensing assistance software licensed to pharmacists.
Representation of a software publisher specializing in health regarding collecting and processing data from pharmacists to obtain therapeutic follow-up and analysis feedback for pharmaceutical laboratories.
Representation of a French governmental agency (health sector) regarding implementing an alternative broadband infrastructure (survey) in France.
Representation of the National Infrastructure Authority in Gabon regarding deploying an IXP in the country.
Representation of the World Bank and LPTIC in Libya regarding a regional broadband infrastructure.
Representation of the Ministry of Telecoms and New Technology with respect to the relevant regulations in Guinée (Conakry) on deploying an IXP in the country.
