Spanish football club Atlético Osasuna introduced a facial recognition system for stadium access, sparking a GDPR complaint. The case highlights the challenges of biometric data processing, questioning its legality under the GDPR. The issue goes beyond simple convenience, raising concerns about proportionality, necessity, and fundamental privacy rights. Similar concerns arise when businesses upgrade traditional CCTV […]
GDPR
Italian Data Protection Authority bans DeepSeek for Italian market
In the past years, the Italian Data Protection Authority (Garante per la Protezione dei dati personali) has made clear statements towards big technology companies introducing their services in Italy, prior to the verification of GDPR and Italian Data Protection Act compliance. We are referring to the Clearview case of 2022, that caused a fine of […]
The GDPR and the AI Act: A Harmonized Yet Complex Regulatory Landscape
The European Union has recently introduced the AI Act, poised to become the cornerstone of AI governance across the EU. This groundbreaking regulation is designed to address the risks AI systems pose to health, safety, and fundamental rights, complementing the protections already established by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Together, these frameworks create a […]
Benelux Authorities Tighten Scrutiny on DPO Appointments
Authorities in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg are paying closer attention to how organizations appoint their Data Protection Officers (DPOs). They are especially focused on making sure DPOs can work independently, without a conflict of interest and have enough resources to do their job properly. In the Netherlands, the Dutch Authority for Personal Data (AP) […]
Liability: Responsibility for Processing Personal Data
New Years Eve is a time when we all tend to look back on the past year and revel in achievements and berate ourselves for mistakes made or goals not yet achieved. I also find that this is a time when I start to regret some of the holiday gifts I purchased. Things I thought […]
The Icelandic DPA Upholds Legitimate Interest of Cross-Checking Caller Information and Follow-Up Surveys
In a recent decision, the Icelandic Data Protection Authority (DPA), Persónuvernd, upheld the legitimate interest of companies sending customer satisfaction surveys and cross-referencing caller information. The case involved the insurance company VÍS and one of its customers and addressed whether a data controller could lawfully cross-check a (anonymous) caller’s phone number with its customer database […]
Biometric Data and GDPR Compliance – a Case Analysis
The growing use of biometric systems in workplaces has brought new challenges for data protection, especially with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe. A recent case in Belgium highlights these issues after a company introduced a fingerprint-based time-tracking system without properly adhering to GDPR rules. Facts In 2020, a Belgian company began using […]
The landscape of online proctoring and the intersection of GDPR and US laws
With the rise of remote learning, online proctoring – used to ensure academic integrity during virtual exams – has become widely adopted by schools and universities across the U.S. These tools use methods like identity verification, video and audio monitoring, eye-tracking, and even AI-based behavioral analysis. As this technology proliferates, concerns about how such software […]
Navigating Employee Email Privacy: Lessons from a recent Fine by Italy’s DPA
The Italian Data Protection Authority (Garante) recently imposed a significant fine of 80,000 euros on a company, for mishandling a sales agent’s email data, highlighting once again the challenges and complexities of managing employee data, in particular when access to employees’ emails is required. The issue arose when the company used a backup of the […]
Unsolicited Email Marketing – Ensuring compliance worldwide
In today’s interconnected world, businesses increasingly depend on email marketing to effectively expand and engage their international customer base. However, when sending unsolicited emails internationally, balancing data protection obligations and the requirements of local laws is crucial for maintaining compliance. This article delves into best practices, outlines the most appropriate legal bases, and examines the […]
CJEU Broadens Definition of Health Data in Pivotal GDPR Ruling
The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has recently issued a landmark decision (C-21/23 “Lindenapotheke”) that expands the interpretation of what constitutes health data under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This ruling has significant implications for businesses, especially those involved in the sale of medicinal products online. A Wider Scope of Health […]
Legitimate Interest: new CJEU ruling challenges Dutch Authority’s strict interpretation
On October 4, 2024, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) issued a ruling in the case C-621/22, addressing whether purely commercial interests can qualify as a legitimate interest for processing personal data under Article 6 para. 1 lit. f of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This decision challenges the strict stance […]
Can Legitimate Interest Be Used to Train an AI Model? noyb Disagrees
In August 2024, the European Center for Digital Rights (noyb), co-founded by privacy advocate Max Schrems, filed a series of complaints against X (formerly Twitter), the social media platform owned by Elon Musk. The nine complaints, lodged in nine different countries, focus on X’s use of personal data to train its Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies. […]
GDPR Breach due to Health Data Leak results in 80,000 euro fine for Private Clinic
A private clinic specializing in assisted reproductive technology (ART), experienced a significant data breach due to a cyberattack. The breach compromised the personal data of approximately 400 individuals, including patients and employees. The affected data included identity, contact information, financial details, and sensitive health and genetic information. Even though the breach was detected on 21 […]
PIAs and DPIAs: A Two-Step Process to GDPR Compliance
If you work in a company in the European Union or the UK you have probably heard your fair share about data protection. From HR to Sales, personal data infiltrates almost every aspect of a company. One of the biggest tasks under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is collecting all the information required and […]