PM: Personal data protection guarantees privacy in Georgia

Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili believes ensuring high standards of personal data protection is one of the major tasks for his Government. 

Speaking yesterday at an occasion to mark the third annual International  Data Protection Day in Georgia, Kvirikashvili said the Government had worked hard to develop personal data protection in Georgia by establishing the Office of the Personal Data Protection Inspector in July 2013. 

Creation of the Office deserved high assessments in the European Commission’s visa liberation report on Georgia.”

The Office has gained trust among public and private institutions and addresses to the body increased six times in 2015 compared to the same period of 2014,” said Kvirikashvili. 

Georgian officials including PM Giorgi Kvirikashvili (second left) gathered to mark International Data Protection Day. Photo by the Prime Minister's webpage. 

We have the ambition to be a member of the European family and protecting the privacy of our people leads to this way,” said the PM. 

Georgia’s top official also stressed his Government would continue supporting personal data protection.

He said the Government would continue to do its utmost to stamp out illegal surveillance, eavesdropping and blackmail, which was commonplace during the previous state leadership. 

Before concluding Kvirikashvili said those who violated privacy rights in Georgia would face "severe punishments". 

The activities of Georgia’s Personal Data Protection Inspector includes:

• Consulting with public and private organisations on personal data protection-related issues;
• Dealing with the citizens complaints;
• Inspecting the lawfulness of data processing in Georgia; and
• Informing the public on the data protection situation in the country and other related issues.

The Office is run by chairperson Tamar Kaldani.