Data Watchdog Concerned by Hungary's GDPR Pause

The European Data Protection Board (EDPB) has expressed concerns over Hungary's decision to suspend General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) obligations, as part of new emergency powers passed following the outbreak of coronavirus in the country.

The new measures, announced earlier this month, include the suspension of the right to access personal information and of its erasure. The measures also reduce the obligation of authorities to notify individuals when collecting personal data, when the aim is coronavirus case prevention.

EDPB Chair Andrea Jelinek (pictured) said suspending EU data protection law amid the current public health crisis is 'not recommended' by the EDPB, which considers further explanation is required relating to the necessity and proportionality of the new measures. Jelinek added that the EDPB is currently in the process of developing further guidance on Article 23 of the GDPR, which allows for member states to introduce certain derogations to data protection law under exceptional circumstances.

Web site: www.edpb.europa.eu .