New personal data law ensures “sustainable, effective” protection - official

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.