“The importance of the Personal Data Protection advanced to a new level for the state and the public”-Today the Personal Data Protection Inspector submitted the 2016 Annual Report to the Parliament of Georgia. The 2016 Annual Report on the State of the Personal Data Protection in Georgia outlines major directions of the Inspector’s Office, revealed violations, inspection outcomes, dynamics and recommendations throughout the reporting period. In her speech Tamar Kaldani highlighted the major tendencies, challenges and prospects of personal data protection in the country.

As the Report states, based on the citizens’ complaints and conducted inspections, the Inspector examined the state of personal data processing in the following organisations:

Public Sector

Private Sector

Consequently, overall 221 cases of violations were revealed: fines were imposed on 63 organisations, while 35 organisations were warned, various public and private organsations were assigned to upgrade necessary organisational or technical capacities through the 220 guidelines and recommendations. Compared to 2015, the number of consultations delivered to citizens, public and private organisations tripled in 2016; Likewise, the number of citizens’ complaints and conducted inspections doubled.

Compared to 2015, the topics of particular public interest are also different. In 2016, majority of the complaints were concerned either with the illegal access to the information about citizens’ financial liabilities and disclosure of this information to the third parties or disclosure of the information regarding the citizens’ medical conditions.

“From year to year, public interest and accountability of the organisations expand. Since this course is based on the demands of the public, the reform should be tangible for each citizen and the progress should be irreversible”-stated Tamar Kaldani in her speech during the Plenary Session of the Parliament of Georgia.

The Inspector also discussed the oversight and effective control mechanisms over covert investigative activities, as according to the Inspector, the Inspector’s Office spared no effort to implement the mandate efficiently.

“The Inspector’s Office worked 24 hours to process the information obtained from courts, Prosecutor’s Office and communication companies in order to respond in a timely manner. Maximum efforts were directed to effectively exercise oversight function and with the same approach we will continue our work in 2017, within the framework of the recent legislative amendments”-stated Tamar Kaldani.

The Personal Data Protection Inspector paid particular attention to the prospects of further institutional development of the Inspector’s Office and legislative initiatives. She particularly emphasized the importance of the right to privacy and personal data protection in light of the current constitutional amendments.

“In light of the current, very important process such as the amendment of the constitution, I would like to emphasize the importance of the right to privacy and personal data protection, as well as the opportunity to enhance the constitutional mechanism for their protection. Protection of privacy preconditions the protection of individuals’ dignity and ensures the freedom of development”-stated Tamar Kaldani.

The majority of the questions raised by the MPs related to recently enacted law on covert investigative activities, disclosure of personal data by online loan companies and protection of employees’ personal data. MPs expressed their interest in the major challenges to personal data protection and Inspector’s opinions regarding the prospects.

Overall, the representatives of the Parliamentary Majority and the opposition gave positive evaluation to the activities of the Inspector and the Inspector’s Office. At the end of the Plenary Session, the Parliament adopted resolution which positively evaluates the Inspector’s Annual Report and released several recommendations.