New personal data law ensures “sustainable, effective” protection - official
Lela Janashvili, the Head of the Personal Data Protection Service of Georgia, on Tuesday presented changes to public servants. Photo: Personal Data Protection Service
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Lela Janashvili, the Head of the Personal Data Protection Service of Georgia, on Tuesday said the personal data protection law adopted by the Parliament in June was expected to create a “sustainable and effective” protection mechanism and improve related laws.
Presenting the law to public servants in Tbilisi, the official also noted several amendments would come into play on March 1, while remaining changes related to the newly introduced position of the Personal Data Protection Officer would be activated in June 2024.
The official stressed the new law contained “a number of novelties” public servants responsible for data processing would have to consider in their work.
She added the amendments required agencies engaged in data processing to create offices for the Personal Data Protection Officer inside their structures, and added the law was “clear” which agencies were responsible to offer the position.
Janashvili said the officers “must have appropriate knowledge and implement the [latest] changes in their daily work”, and would be appointed by agencies themselves.
She also highlighted boundaries between the public and personal data would be set by related agencies.
The Personal Data Protection Service of Georgia on Tuesday announced it had obtained observer status in the European Data Protection Board.
The Parliament of Georgia appointed Karlo Katsitadze and Lela Janashvili to lead the Special Investigation Service and Personal Data Protection Services respectively on Tuesday, with the two newly created agencies replacing the outgoing State Inspector Service.
Georgia’s Personal Data Protection Service has launched a month-long online campaign focused on the importance of personal data protection for public and private organisations, the state body announced on Thursday.
Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili believes ensuring high standards of personal data protection is one of the major tasks for his Government.
Lela Janashvili, the head of the Georgian Personal Data Protection Service, on Tuesday discussed organisational questions and cooperation with Leonardo Cervera-Navas, the Secretary General of the European Data Protection Supervisor institution.
Mikheil Sarjveladze, the Chair of the Parliament's Human Rights Committee, on Friday said Georgia had joined the ranks of states in which the protection of personal data would be implemented at the “highest level, at the European level”.