Authority of personal data protection inspector expands

Georgia’s Parliament has approved a move to expand the power of Georgia’s personal data protection inspector - a Government official tasked with protecting people’s right to privacy.

The approved amendments will also mean citizens will be able to request companies from using their personal data, while video monitoring of Georgian streets and public places will become more restricted.

Parliament today unanimously approved an amendment to the Law on Personal Data Protection and its third hearing with 76 votes.

As a result of the changes, the inspector’s authority will increase. Its mandate will spread into the police sector from September 1 and onto the private sector from November 1 this year.

In order to increase legitimacy of the supervisory authority, the rule of appointing a data privacy inspector would change. The candidate will now be elected by Parliament from candidates presented by Georgia’s Prime Minister, who will be selected by a special commission.

The law aimed to guarantee the inspector’s immunity and authority to access any document or information, including confidential public, commercial and professional documents, if needed.

Changes to the law approved today included increasing the special categories data and guarantees of its security. In addition, the rule of procession genetic data would be limited and restricted and improvements would be made to regulations of video monitoring, biometric data and direct marketing.

From September 1, 2014, citizens will be able to use a simple method to request companies from using their personal information. Also, video monitoring of Georgian streets and public places will become more restricted.