Bodobalazs: 1 revision imported: GDPRHUB import 2023 04 18

2023-04-18T15:01:42Z

1 revision imported: GDPRHUB import 2023 04 18

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![[Article 76 GDPR|←]] Article 77 - Right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority [[Article 78 GDPR|→]]
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<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" overflow:auto;" style="border-width: 0px">
<div style="font-weight:bold;line-height:1.6;">Chapter 1: General provisions</div>
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
<small>
[[Article 1 GDPR|Article 1: Subject-matter and objectives]]<br />
[[Article 2 GDPR|Article 2: Material scope]]<br />
[[Article 3 GDPR|Article 3: Territorial scope]]<br />
[[Article 4 GDPR|Article 4: Definitions]]<br />
</small>
</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" overflow:auto;" style="border-width: 0px">
<div style="font-weight:bold;line-height:1.6;">Chapter 2: Principles</div>
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
<small>
[[Article 5 GDPR|Article 5: Principles relating to processing of personal data]]<br />
[[Article 6 GDPR|Article 6: Lawfulness of processing]]<br />
[[Article 7 GDPR|Article 7: Conditions for consent]]<br />
[[Article 8 GDPR|Article 8: Conditions applicable to child’s consent in relation to information society services]]<br />
[[Article 9 GDPR|Article 9: Processing of special categories of personal data]]<br />
[[Article 10 GDPR|Article 10: Processing of personal data relating to criminal convictions and offences]]<br />
[[Article 11 GDPR|Article 11: Processing which does not require identification]]<br />
</small>
</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" overflow:auto;" style="border-width: 0px">
<div style="font-weight:bold;line-height:1.6;">Chapter 3: Rights of the data subject</div>
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
<small>
[[Article 12 GDPR|Article 12: Transparent information, communication and modalities for the exercise of the rights of the data subject]]<br />
[[Article 13 GDPR|Article 13: Information to be provided where personal data are collected from the data subject]]<br />
[[Article 14 GDPR|Article 14: Information to be provided where personal data have not been obtained from the data subject]]<br />
[[Article 15 GDPR|Article 15: Right of access by the data subject]]<br />
[[Article 16 GDPR|Article 16: Right to rectification]]<br />
[[Article 17 GDPR|Article 17: Right to erasure (‘right to be forgotten’)]]<br />
[[Article 18 GDPR|Article 18: Right to restriction of processing]]<br />
[[Article 19 GDPR|Article 19: Notification obligation regarding rectification or erasure of personal data or restriction of processing]]<br />
[[Article 20 GDPR|Article 20: Right to data portability]]<br />
[[Article 21 GDPR|Article 21: Right to object]]<br />
[[Article 22 GDPR|Article 22: Automated individual decision-making, including profiling]]<br />
[[Article 23 GDPR|Article 23: Restrictions]]<br />
</small>
</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" overflow:auto;" style="border-width: 0px">
<div style="font-weight:bold;line-height:1.6;">Chapter 4: Controller and processor</div>
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
<small>
[[Article 24 GDPR|Article 24: Responsibility of the controller]]<br />
[[Article 25 GDPR|Article 25: Data protection by design and by default]]<br />
[[Article 26 GDPR|Article 26: Joint controllers]]<br />
[[Article 27 GDPR|Article 27: Representatives of controllers or processors not established in the Union]]<br />
[[Article 28 GDPR|Article 28: Processor]]<br />
[[Article 29 GDPR|Article 29: Processing under the authority of the controller or processor]]<br />
[[Article 30 GDPR|Article 30: Records of processing activities]]<br />
[[Article 31 GDPR|Article 31: Cooperation with the supervisory authority]]<br />
[[Article 32 GDPR|Article 32: Security of processing]]<br />
[[Article 33 GDPR|Article 33: Notification of a personal data breach to the supervisory authority]]<br />
[[Article 34 GDPR|Article 34: Communication of a personal data breach to the data subject]]<br />
[[Article 35 GDPR|Article 35: Data protection impact assessment]]<br />
[[Article 36 GDPR|Article 36: Prior consultation]]<br />
[[Article 37 GDPR|Article 37: Designation of the data protection officer]]<br />
[[Article 38 GDPR|Article 38: Position of the data protection officer]]<br />
[[Article 39 GDPR|Article 39: Tasks of the data protection officer]]<br />
[[Article 40 GDPR|Article 40: Codes of conduct]]<br />
[[Article 41 GDPR|Article 41: Monitoring of approved codes of conduct]]<br />
[[Article 42 GDPR|Article 42: Certification]]<br />
[[Article 43 GDPR|Article 43: Certification bodies]]<br />
</small>
</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" overflow:auto;" style="border-width: 0px">
<div style="font-weight:bold;line-height:1.6;">Chapter 5: Transfers of personal data</div>
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
<small>
[[Article 44 GDPR|Article 44: General principle for transfers]]<br />
[[Article 45 GDPR|Article 45: Transfers on the basis of an adequacy decision]]<br />
[[Article 46 GDPR|Article 46: Transfers subject to appropriate safeguards]]<br />
[[Article 47 GDPR|Article 47: Binding corporate rules]]<br />
[[Article 48 GDPR|Article 48: Transfers or disclosures not authorised by Union law]]<br />
[[Article 49 GDPR|Article 49: Derogations for specific situations]]<br />
[[Article 50 GDPR|Article 50: International cooperation for the protection of personal data]]<br />
</small>
</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" overflow:auto;" style="border-width: 0px">
<div style="font-weight:bold;line-height:1.6;">Chapter 6: Supervisory authorities</div>
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
<small>
[[Article 51 GDPR|Article 51: Supervisory authority]]<br />
[[Article 52 GDPR|Article 52: Independence]]<br />
[[Article 53 GDPR|Article 53: General conditions for the members of the supervisory authority]]<br />
[[Article 54 GDPR|Article 54: Rules on the establishment of the supervisory authority]]<br />
[[Article 55 GDPR|Article 55: Competence]]<br />
[[Article 56 GDPR|Article 56: Competence of the lead supervisory authority]]<br />
[[Article 57 GDPR|Article 57: Tasks]]<br />
[[Article 58 GDPR|Article 58: Powers]]<br />
[[Article 59 GDPR|Article 59: Activity reports]]<br />
</small>
</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" overflow:auto;" style="border-width: 0px">
<div style="font-weight:bold;line-height:1.6;">Chapter 7: Cooperation and consistency</div>
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
<small>
[[Article 60 GDPR|Article 60: Cooperation between the lead supervisory authority and the other supervisory authorities concerned]]<br />
[[Article 61 GDPR|Article 61: Mutual assistance]]<br />
[[Article 62 GDPR|Article 62: Joint operations of supervisory authorities]]<br />
[[Article 63 GDPR|Article 63: Consistency mechanism]]<br />
[[Article 64 GDPR|Article 64: Opinion of the Board]]<br />
[[Article 65 GDPR|Article 65: Dispute resolution by the Board]]<br />
[[Article 66 GDPR|Article 66: Urgency procedure]]<br />
[[Article 67 GDPR|Article 67: Exchange of information]]<br />
[[Article 68 GDPR|Article 68: European Data Protection Board]]<br />
[[Article 69 GDPR|Article 69: Independence]]<br />
[[Article 70 GDPR|Article 70: Tasks of the Board]]<br />
[[Article 71 GDPR|Article 71: Reports]]<br />
[[Article 72 GDPR|Article 72: Procedure]]<br />
[[Article 73 GDPR|Article 73: Chair]]<br />
[[Article 74 GDPR|Article 74: Tasks of the Chair]]<br />
[[Article 75 GDPR|Article 75: Secretariat]]<br />
[[Article 76 GDPR|Article 76: Confidentiality]]<br />
</small>
</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible" overflow:auto;" style="border-width: 0px">
<div style="font-weight:bold;line-height:1.6;">Chapter 8: Remedies, liability and penalties</div>
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
<small>
[[Article 77 GDPR|Article 77: Right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority]]<br />
[[Article 78 GDPR|Article 78: Right to an effective judicial remedy against a supervisory authority]]<br />
[[Article 79 GDPR|Article 79: Right to an effective judicial remedy against a controller or processor]]<br />
[[Article 80 GDPR|Article 80: Representation of data subjects]]<br />
[[Article 81 GDPR|Article 81: Suspension of proceedings]]<br />
[[Article 82 GDPR|Article 82: Right to compensation and liability]]<br />
[[Article 83 GDPR|Article 83: General conditions for imposing administrative fines]]<br />
[[Article 84 GDPR|Article 84: Penalties]]<br />
</small>
</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" overflow:auto;" style="border-width: 0px">
<div style="font-weight:bold;line-height:1.6;">Chapter 9: Specific processing situations</div>
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
<small>
[[Article 85 GDPR|Article 85: Processing and freedom of expression and information]]<br />
[[Article 86 GDPR|Article 86: Processing and public access to official documents]]<br />
[[Article 87 GDPR|Article 87: Processing of the national identification number]]<br />
[[Article 88 GDPR|Article 88: Processing in the context of employment]]<br />
[[Article 89 GDPR|Article 89: Safeguards and derogations relating to processing for archiving purposes in the public interest, scientific or historical research purposes or statistical purposes]]<br />
[[Article 90 GDPR|Article 90: Obligations of secrecy]]<br />
[[Article 91 GDPR|Article 91: Existing data protection rules of churches and religious associations]]<br />
</small>
</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" overflow:auto;" style="border-width: 0px">
<div style="font-weight:bold;line-height:1.6;">Chapter 10: Delegated and implementing acts</div>
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
<small>
[[Article 92 GDPR|Article 92: Exercise of the delegation]]<br />
[[Article 93 GDPR|Article 93: Committee procedure]]<br />
</small>
</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" overflow:auto;" style="border-width: 0px">
<div style="font-weight:bold;line-height:1.6;">Chapter 11: Final provisions</div>
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
<small>
[[Article 94 GDPR|Article 94: Repeal of Directive 95: /46: /EC]]<br />
[[Article 95 GDPR|Article 95: Relationship with Directive 20: 02: /58: /EC]]<br />
[[Article 96 GDPR|Article 96: Relationship with previously concluded Agreements]]<br />
[[Article 97 GDPR|Article 97: Commission reports]]<br />
[[Article 98 GDPR|Article 98: Review of other Union legal acts on data protection]]<br />
[[Article 99 GDPR|Article 99: Entry into force and application]]<br />
</small>
</div>
</div>
|}

== Legal Text ==
<br /><center>'''Article 77 - Right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority'''</center>

<span id="1">1. Without prejudice to any other administrative or judicial remedy, every data subject shall have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, in particular in the Member State of his or her habitual residence, place of work or place of the alleged infringement if the data subject considers that the processing of personal data relating to him or her infringes this Regulation.</span>

<span id="2">2. The supervisory authority with which the complaint has been lodged shall inform the complainant on the progress and the outcome of the complaint including the possibility of a judicial remedy pursuant to Article 78.</span>

== Relevant Recitals==
{{Recital/141 GDPR}}

== Commentary ==
Article 77(1) GDPR stipulates the data subject’s right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority (“''SA''”) if the data subject suspects a GDPR violation regarding personal data relating to them; Article 77(2) GDPR places the SA with which the complaint has been lodged under an obligation to inform the complainant on the progress and the outcome of the complaint. Both Article 77(1) and (2) GDPR are directly applicable and do not require transposition into national law. However, the details of the complaints procedure are subject to Member State law, which must observe the requirements and objectives of the GDPR. [''Bergt'', in Kühling, Buchner, DS-GVO BDSG, Article 77 GDPR, margin number 26 (C.H. Beck 2020, 3rd edition).] This includes that the lodging of a complaint and its handling by a SA shall be free of charge for the data subject ([[Article 57 GDPR|Article 57(3) GDPR]]). Many SAs provide forms that ensure that a complainant includes all relevant information as suggested in the last sentence of Recital 141 GDPR.<blockquote><u>EDPB Guidelines</u>: on this article, please see [https://edpb.europa.eu/our-work-tools/our-documents/guidelines/guidelines-062022-practical-implementation-amicable_en Guidelines 06/2022 for the practical application of the amicable settlement]</blockquote>

=== (1) Right to a Formal Complaint ===
Under Article 77(1) GDPR, every data subject shall have the right to lodge a complaint with a SA, in particular in the Member State of their habitual residence, place of work or place of the alleged infringement, if the data subject considers that the processing of personal data relating to them infringes the GDPR.

==== Complaint ====
The complaint to the SA can be lodged informally. In accordance with Article 57(2) GDPR, the SAs shall facilitate the submission of complaints, in particular through an online form or other similar channels. As part of the obligation to facilitate, SAs shall communicate their contact options clearly and use as many means of communication as possible. [''Bailey'', in Kühling, Buchner, DS-GVO BDSG, Article 77 GDPR, margin number 11 (C.H. Beck 2020, 3rd Edition)] An obligation on the complainant to provide information and, if necessary, to prove their identity exists only to the extent necessary to verify their right to lodge a complaint. In principle, the SA is also obliged to deal with anonymous complaints. Insisting on the indication of name and address, for example, should not be necessary on a regular basis. On this issue, it should be noted that a copy of an ID card has no probative value, since copies of ID cards are very easy to obtain or create and can be manipulated or generated electronically. Identification systems based on the eIDAS Regulation, however, easy online identification throughout the EU. [''Bailey'', in Kühling, Buchner, DS-GVO BDSG, Article 77 GDPR, margin number 11 (C.H. Beck 2020, 3rd Edition)]

==== Requirements ====
Article 77(1) GDPR has two requirements: (1) A data subject must consider that (2) their personal data has been processed in violation of GDPR.

===== Data Subject =====
The complainant must be a data subject within the meaning of [[Article 4 GDPR|Article 4(1) GDPR]], i.e. an identified or identifiable natural person. As only an investigation of the facts can determine if the data of the complainant has actually been processed, the complainant must ''de facto'' only allege that they qualify as a data subject. This is especially relevant in cases where the complainant is not even capable of assessing their status as a data subject – e.g. when a controller has simply ignored an access request under [[Article 15 GDPR]] and the complainant has no knowledge on whether the controller actually processes their personal data.

===== Alleged Infringement =====
The data subject must at least allege that their data is processed in violation of the GDPR. Contrary to the prevailing opinion among legal scholars,<ref>''Bergt'', in Kühling, Buchner, DS-GVO BDSG, Article 77 GDPR, margin number 10 (Beck 2020, 3rd edition); ''Nemitz'' in Ehmann, Selmayr, Datenschutz-Grundverordnung, Article 77 GDPR, margin number 16 (Beck 2018, 2nd edition); ''von Lewinksi'' in Auernhammer, DSGVO BDSG, Article 77 GDPR, margin number 2 (Carl Heymanns 2018, 6nd edition).</ref> some SAs have taken the stance that the right to lodge a complaint is limited to violations of data subject rights under Chapter III of the GDPR (“''Rights of the data subject''“).<ref>Datenschutzbehörde, 13 September 2018, das Bundesministerium für Europa, Integration und Äußeres, das Bundeskanzleramt, DSB-D123.070/0005-DSB/2018, (available [https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/Dokumente/Dsk/DSBT_20180913_DSB_D123_070_0005_DSB_2018_00/DSBT_20180913_DSB_D123_070_0005_DSB_2018_00.pdf here]).</ref>

For the following reasons, the academic opinion provides the more compelling arguments. First, the language of Article 77(1) GDPR does not contain any limitations to violations of Chapter III rights. Second, Article 8(2) Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU (“''CFR''”) already foresees that personal data “''must be processed fairly for specified purposes and on the basis of the consent of the person concerned or some other legitimate basis laid down by law.''” These requirements are laid down in detail in [[Article 5 GDPR|Articles 5]] to [[Article 10 GDPR|10]] GDPR. In light of Article 41 and Article 47 CFR, limiting complaints to the violation of Chapter III GDPR would therefore violate not only the GDPR but also primary EU law. Third, a limitation to violations of Chapter III rights would also result in massive enforcement deficiencies. A data subject would have no possibility to have certain processing activities reviewed by a SA. For example, a processing activity that is based on an algorithm that produces incorrect data on a regular basis could not be addressed under [[Article 16 GDPR]] as [[Article 16 GDPR|Article 16]] GDPR can only be invoked to rectify existing inaccurate data but not to stop the ongoing creation of incorrect data that is based on existing correct data. In this case, the data subject would have to rely directly on the principle of accuracy under [[Article 5 GDPR|Article 5(1)(d) GDPR]] in conjunction with [[Article 24 GDPR|Articles 24]] and [[Article 25 GDPR|25 GDPR]] and ask the SA to order the controller to bring the processing operation into compliance with the GDPR under [[Article 58 GDPR|Article 58(2)(d) GDPR]] or even ban it under [[Article 58 GDPR|Article 58(2)(f)]] GDPR.

Therefore, complaints under Article 77 GDPR should extend to a broad range of violations concerning, ''inter alia'': the principles of data processing ([[Article 5 GDPR]]), the lawfulness of processing ([[Article 6 GDPR|Articles 6]], [[Article 9 GDPR|9]] and [[Article 10 GDPR|10 GDPR]]), the conditions for consent ([[Article 7 GDPR|Articles 7]] and [[Article 8 GDPR|8 GDPR]]), information under [[Article 11 GDPR|Article 11(2) GDPR]], provisions of Chapter III of the GDPR ([[Article 12 GDPR|Articles 12]] to [[Article 22 GDPR|22 GDPR]]), the duty to communicate a personal data breach to the data subject ([[Article 34 GDPR]]), the provisions on data transfers to third countries or international organisations under Chapter V of the GDPR ([[Article 44 GDPR|Article 44]] et seq. GDPR).<ref>''Schweiger'' in Knyrim'','' DatKomm, Article 77 GDPR, margin number 11 (as of 22.4.2021, rdb.at).</ref>

==== Jurisdiction for Filing the Case ====

===== A(ny) Supervisory Authority =====
The GDPR only requires that a SA is addressed by the complaint. This general rule is only limited by a non-exhaustive list of possible SAs. This means that a complainant may file a complaint with any SA in the European Economic Area, independent of location.<ref>''Bergt'' in Kühling, Buchner, DS-GVO BDSG, Article 77 GDPR, margin number 9 (Beck 2020, 3rd edition).</ref>

===== Habitual Residence =====
The most common place to lodge a complaint is the home jurisdiction of the complainant. The habitual residence is defined in different EU laws and requires a legal right to residence and an objective assessment of the factual residence. Especially in cross border cases, data subjects might want to choose to lodge complaints at the place of their habitual residence, as this allows for the data subject to file the complaint in (one of) the official languages of the relevant Member State, rather than the official language of the Member State that the controller is based in.

===== Place of Work =====
Similar to the habitual residence, complainants can lodge a complaint before the SA of their work place. It is not required that the complaint has any connection to the place of work.

===== Place of Alleged Infringement =====

The complaint can also be lodged before the SA of the place of the alleged infringement. This clause is a typical form of jurisdiction that is aimed at aligning the location of the decision maker with the location of facts. Example: The SA that is closest to a CCTV camera may be best placed to gather factual evidence on the CCTV system, without the need to request mutual assistance from other SAs.
===== Cross Country Cases =====
The option to lodge a complaint with any SA does not mean that the SA with which the case has been lodged necessarily decides about the case. Which SA actually handles the case is subject to [[Article 55 GDPR|Article 55]] and [[Article 56 GDPR|56 GDPR]]. In any case the SA with which the complaint has been lodged remains a “''supervisory authority concerned''” under [[Article 4 GDPR|Article 4(22)(c) GDPR]] and the point of contact for the data subject (“''one-stop shop''”).

=== Duty to Inform the Data Subject ===

==== Progress and Outcome ====
Under Article 77(2) GDPR, “''the supervisory authority with which the complaint has been lodged shall inform the complainant on the progress and the outcome of the complaint including the possibility of a judicial remedy pursuant to Article 78.''” This provision only addresses the SA with which the complaint has been lodged but not the SA ultimately handling the case under [[Article 55 GDPR|Articles 55]] and [[Article 56 GDPR|56 GDPR]] (which might be the same or a different SA). The SA’s report on the progress as well as the final decision must include information on the possibility for a judicial remedy under Article 78(2) GDPR and [[Article 78 GDPR|Article 78(1) GDPR]] respectively.

==== Timeline and Frequency of Information ====
Article 77(2) GDPR does not stipulate a deadline by which the data subject has to be initially informed about the progress of the complaint, nor does it contain rules on the frequency of such “''progress reports''”. Read in conjunction with [[Article 57 GDPR|Article 57(1)(f)]] GDPR (“[…] ''inform the complainant of the progress and the outcome of the investigation within a reasonable period,'' […]”) , the SA must inform the data subject within a reasonable period.

Moreover, under [[Article 78 GDPR|Article 78(2) GDPR]], a data subject has the right to an effective judicial remedy where the SA that is competent pursuant to [[Article 55 GDPR|Article 55]] and [[Article 56 GDPR|56 GDPR]] does not inform the data subject within three months on the progress or outcome of the complaint lodged pursuant to Article 77 GDPR. It must be noted that other than Article 77(2) GDPR, [[Article 78 GDPR|Article 78(2)]] does not address the SA with which the complaint has been lodged but rather the SA that is competent to handle the case under [[Article 55 GDPR|Articles 55]] and [[Article 56 GDPR|56 GDPR]].

Thus, if the SA with which the complaint has been lodged is also competent to handle the case under [[Article 55 GDPR]], the SA has to inform the data subject within three months after receipt of the complaint on its progress or outcome under [[Article 78 GDPR|Article 78(2) GDPR]]. ''Vice versa'', if the SA with which the complaint has been lodged is not competent to handle the case (but rather the lead SA under [[Article 56 GDPR|Article 56]] is), then the SA with which the complaint has been lodged must inform the data subject under Article 77(2) GDPR.

The first information usually is an acknowledgement of receipt and a notice that the case has been forwarded to an (alleged) lead LSA. Although there is no specific deadline for this information, the three-month period of [[Article 78 GDPR|Article 78(2)]] GDPR should be applied ''per analogiam.'' As soon as the lead SA is established (which very often takes longer than three months), it must inform the data subject within three months after receipt of the complaint on its progress or outcome under [[Article 78 GDPR|Article 78(2)]] GDPR. For practical reasons, the SA with which the complaint has been lodged usually informs the data subject on behalf of the lead SA on this.
== Decisions ==
→ You can find all related decisions in [[:Category:Article 77 GDPR]]

== References ==
<references />

[[Category:GDPR Articles]]

Article 77 GDPR - Revision history

Bodobalazs: 1 revision imported: GDPRHUB import 2023 04 18