Increased numbers of citizens’ complaints and revealed violations, strengthened capacity of the Office - The Personal Data Protection Inspector presented the 2016 Annual Report on the State of Personal Data Protection in Georgia to the Human Rights and Civil Integration Committee of the Parliament of Georgia. Tamar Kaldani reviewed the major tendencies revealed in the country throughout the last year.

According to the Inspector, as a result of the complaints and conducted inspections the Inspector’s Office examined the state of personal data protection in public and private organisations, 86 examinations in the public sector and 245 – in private organisations. In terms of public sector, lot of inspections were conducted in the Prosecutor’s Office and the Ministry of Internal Affairs. As for the private sector, high number of inspections was related to the online loan and debt collection companies.

During the reporting period, the number of consultations delivered to citizens, various public and private organisations tripled amounting 3,840 consultations overall. Frequency of the citizen appeals to the Inspector and the subsequent inspections also increased twice as much. Conducted inspections revealed 221 cases of violations in various organisations, fines were imposed on 53 organisations, while 53 organisations were warned. Overall, 220 recommendations were released in order to ensure the sufficient level of personal data protection.

The Inspector paid particular attention to the personal data protection on internet highlighting the cases of unlawful dissemination of video and audio materials exposing the private lives of certain persons.

“Through the public statements we have repeatedly emphasized the urgency of investigation and called upon the efficient mechanisms to prevent the crime of this type, also we stressed the necessity of involvement of international experts. The significant level of public interest regarding the investigation results was continuously emphasized. The negative impact of illegal dissemination of the audio-video materials not only violates the right to privacy of the particular person but also raises concerns and adversely affects public perceptions”-stated Tamar Kaldani.

Except the topics covered in the Report, MPs expressed particular interest in the Inspector’s opinion about the legislation on covert investigative activities. Tamar Kaldani reiterated the importance of effective oversight mechanisms thereon.

The Parliamentary Majority and the opposition unanimously gave positive evaluation to the Report. Discussion of the Report will resume on the hearings of Legal Issues Committee and the Plenary Session of the Parliament of Georgia.

The Report of the Personal Data Protection Inspector examines the tendencies of personal data protection, activities of the Inspector’s Office, existing challenges, revealed violations and measures undertaken to prevent the breaches of law. The Inspector submits the Report annually to the Executive and Legislative branches of the Government. This is the fourth Annual Report submitted by the Personal Data Protection Inspector.