Status: 12/01/2023 1:02 PM
Where does personal data end up? What are the rights that consumers should know about? The European Court of Justice has dealt with these questions and made it clear that everyone has the right to know what happens to their data.
Everyone has the right to know who their personal data has been shared with. This was decided by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in Luxembourg. However, the court allowed exceptions. If recipients cannot be identified or if a citizen’s request for information is manifestly unfounded or excessive, only categories of recipients may be informed.
In the case it was about the Austrian Post. The plaintiff wanted to know whether and to whom Swiss Post had sent personal data about him. Relied on the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This states that the data subject has the right to obtain information from the person responsible for the recipients or categories of recipients to whom personal data has been or is still being disclosed.
Postal transport in Austria on the data
In responding to the citizen’s request, Austrian Post limited itself to stating that it uses personal data, to the extent permitted by law, in the course of its work as a publisher of telephone directories and provides such data to business customers for marketing purposes. . The citizen then filed a lawsuit against the Österreichische Post in the Austrian courts. It later corroborated its statement and explained that these commercial clients included commercial companies, address book publishers and political parties.
Austria’s Supreme Court, which is now handling the case, has asked the European Court of Justice to interpret the General Data Protection Regulation. After being judged, he must now decide on the specific case.
Az Si – 154/21
