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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<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 79 - Right to an effective judicial remedy against a controller or processor</center>

<span id="1">1. Without prejudice to any available administrative or non-judicial remedy, including the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority pursuant to Article 77, each data subject shall have the right to an effective judicial remedy where he or she considers that his or her rights under this Regulation have been infringed as a result of the processing of his or her personal data in non-compliance with this Regulation.</span>

<span id="2">2. Proceedings against a controller or a processor shall be brought before the courts of the Member State where the controller or processor has an establishment. Alternatively, such proceedings may be brought before the courts of the Member State where the data subject has his or her habitual residence, unless the controller or processor is a public authority of a Member State acting in the exercise of its public powers.</span>

== Relevant Recitals==
{{Recital/141 GDPR}}{{Recital/145 GDPR}}

== Commentary ==

Article 79(1) GDPR stipulates the right of a data subject to an effective judicial remedy where the data subject considers that their rights under the GDPR were infringed due to the non-compliant processing of their personal data. Article 79(2) GDPR stipulates in which Member States a data subject can bring court proceedings against a controller or a processor.

=== (1) Right to an Effective Judicial Remedy ===
Under Article 79(1) GDPR, each data subject shall have the right to an effective judicial remedy where they consider that their rights under this Regulation have been infringed as a result of the processing of their personal data in non-compliance with this Regulation. The provision introduces two requirements: (i) A data subject must consider that a controller or processor have violated (ii) their rights under the GDPR as a result of the processing of their personal data in non-compliance with the GDPR.

==== Parties ====
The plaintiff must be a data subject within the meaning of Article 4(1) GDPR, i.e. an identified or identifiable natural person. See commentary on Article 77 GDPR, “Data Subject” for further details. Legal proceedings under Article 79 GDPR can be brought both against a controller (Article 4(7) GDPR) and a processor Article 4(8) GDPR.<ref>''Mundil'' in Wolff, Brink, BeckOK DatenschutzR, Article 79 GDPR, margin number 8 (C.H. Beck 2021, 36<sup>th</sup> edition).</ref>

==== Infringement of the Plaintiff’s Rights under the GDPR ====
The data subject must claim (i) that their personal data have been processed in breach of the GDPR and (ii) that this resulted in an infringement of their rights under the GDPR. Processing in breach of the GDPR includes all violations of material data protection law such as data processing principles under Article 5 GDPR, unlawful processing under Articles 6 to 9 GDPR, or the lack of a valid transfer mechanism under Chapter V GDPR.<ref>''Leupold, Schrems'' in Knyrim, Der Datkomm, Article 79 GDPR, margin number 10 (rdb.at 2018).</ref> It further includes violations of delegated acts and implementing acts pursuant to Chapter X of the GDPR as well Member State law clarifying GDPR provisions.<ref>''Jahnel'' in Jahnel, DSGVO, Article 79 GDPR, margin number 24 (Jan Sramek 2021).</ref>

The processing in non-compliance with the GDPR must then result in an infringement of the data subject’s rights under the GDPR, which points towards the necessity of a causal link between the processing in non-compliance with the GDPR and the infringement of the data subject’s rights.<ref>''Kreße'' in Sydow, Europäische Datenschutzverordnung, Artikel 79 GDPR, margin number 16 (Nomos 2018, 2<sup>nd</sup> edition).</ref> This requirement would be fulfilled, for example, where a controller refuses to erase data following a request under Article 17 GDPR that has been based on the lack of a sufficient legal basis under Article 6(1) GDPR.

However, there are cases, where a data subject’s subjective rights under the GDPR have been infringed, but not necessarily as a result of a data processing not in line with GDPR. For example, infringements of Article 15 GDPR can occur even where no data is processed or where the processing is in line with the GDPR: Where the controller ignores a data subject’s access request, the controller has undoubtedly violated Article 15 GDPR. In this case, the infringement of the data subject’s right under the GDPR occurs regardless of whether or not the controller actually processes any data relating to the data subject (after all, this is what the data subject might be trying to find out by their access request). The same applies if the controller ignoring the access request in fact processes the data subject’s personal data but the processing as such complies with the GDPR – in that case, the controller infringed Article 15 GDPR nevertheless. The same is true for infringements of Article 13 and Article 14 GDPR.<ref>''Leupold, Schrems'' in Knyrim, Der Datkomm, Article 79 GDPR, margin numbers 13 and 14 (rdb.at 2018).</ref> The collection of the data subject’s data by the controller (processing under Article 4(2) GDPR) triggers the data subject’s right under Article 13 and 14 GDPR.

A strict literal interpretation of Article 79(1) GDPR would lead to the result that the data subject could only bring proceedings under Article 79(1) GDPR if the data collection as such has been in non-compliance with the GDPR (e.g. if there was no legal basis under Article 6(1) GDPR for the data collection or no privacy policy was communicated).<ref>In some cases, a violation of Article 13 or 14 GDPR might lead to violation of the data processing principles established Article 5 GDPR – See ''Leupold, Schrems'' in Knyrim, Der Datkomm, Article 79 GDPR, margin number 14 (rdb.at 2018).</ref> In order to avoid a severe legal protection deficit, Article 79(1) GDPR must be interpreted using a teleological approach allowing actions for “mere” violations of Article 13, 14 and 15 GDPR as well.<ref>''Jahnel'' in Jahnel, DSGVO, Article 79 GDPR, margin number 29 (Jan Sramek 2021).</ref> The purpose of Article 79(1) GDPR is to provide the data subject with an effective legal remedy before a court against infringement of their subjective rights under the GDPR – accomplishing the legal requirements already stipulated by Article 47 CFR.<ref>See Recital 141 GDPR.</ref> Arguing otherwise would severely limit the scope of Article 79(1) GDPR and would not be in line with the purpose of the provision.<ref>''Moos, Schefzig'' in Taeger, Gabel, DSGVO – BDSG, Article 79 GDPR, margin number 8 (Deutscher Fachverlag 2019 3<sup>rd</sup> edition); ''Leupold, Schrems'' in Knyrim, Der Datkomm, Article 79 GDPR, margin number 12 (rdb.at 2018).</ref>

Therefore, the requirement of an infringement of a data subject’s rights as a result of data processing in non-compliance with the GDPR must rather be read as excluding court proceedings based on GDPR violations that have no connection to subjective rights of a data subject.<ref>''Leupold, Schrems'' in Knyrim, Der Datkomm, Article 79 GDPR, margin number 13 (rdb.at 2018).</ref> This interpretation is supported by Recital 141 GDPR according to which “''every data subject should have'' […] ''the right to an effective judicial remedy in accordance with Article 47 of the Charter if the data subject considers that his or her rights under this Regulation are infring''edition”

Consequently, a data subject cannot bring proceedings under Article 79(1) GDPR where no subjective rights under the GDPR are concernedition For example, a data subject cannot use Article 79(1) GDPR regarding a controller’s failure to maintain records of processing activities under Article 30 GDPR, to carry out a data protection impact assessment under Article 35 GDPR or to designate a data protection officer under Article 37 GDPR.<ref>''Jahnel'' in Jahnel, DSGVO, Article 79 GDPR, margin number 24 (Jan Sramek 2021).</ref> These GDPR violations might lead to fines by a SA but generally do not lead to the infringement of a data subject’s subjective right under the GDPR.<ref>''Leupold, Schrems'' in Knyrim, Der Datkomm, Article 79 GDPR, margin number 15 (rdb.at 2018).</ref> According to some legal scholars, violations of Article 25 GDPR (data protection by default and by design) can be subject of legal proceedings under Article 79 GDPR, if they have an effect on rights of the data subject.<ref>''Bergt'' in Kühling, Buchner, DS-GVO BDSG, Artikel 79 GDPR, margin number 24 (C.H. Beck 2020, 3rd edition); ''Boehm'' in Simitis, Hornung, Spiecker gen. Döhmann, Datenschutzrecht, Article 79 GDPR, margin number 10 (C.H. Beck 2019).</ref>

Regarding the burden of proof on the existence of data processing not in compliance with the GDPR, Articles 5(2) and 24(1) GDPR must be taken into account: If the defendant qualifies as controller under Article 4(7) GDPR, it must demonstrate that processing is performed in accordance with the GDPR.<ref>''Jahnel'' in Jahnel, DSGVO, Article 79 GDPR, margin number 31 (Jan Sramek 2021).</ref>

==== Effective Judicial Remedy ====
Article 79 GDPR stipulates a directly applicable subjective right for data subjects. However, the precise procedural rules are subject to Member State law. These rules must be in line with the EU principles of equivalence and effectiveness.<ref>''Mundil'' in Wolff, Brink, BeckOK Datenschutzrecht, Article 79 GDPR, margin number 1 (C.H. Beck 2020, 36th edition).</ref> Article 79(1) GDPR requires an ''effective'' judicial remedy. In light of Article 47 CFR, the access to courts under Article 79 GDPR must not be disproportionally difficult, for example through excessively strict admissibility requirements.<ref>''Mundil'' in Wolff, Brink, BeckOK Datenschutzrecht, Article 79 GDPR, margin number 4 (C.H. Beck 2020, 36th edition).</ref> Other than procedures before SAs (see Article 57(3) GDPR), legal proceedings under Article 79 GDPR do not have to be free of charge. Legal fees (both court and attorney fees) are subject to Member State law.

==== Parallel Proceedings Before a DPA and a Court ====
Article 79(1) GDPR stipulates the data subject’s right to a judicial remedy “''without prejudice''” to any available administrative or non-judicial remedy, including the right to lodge a complaint with a SA pursuant to Article 77 GDPR. Thus, it is the data subject’s free choice either to lodge a complaint under Article 77 GDPR or to bring proceedings under Article 79 GDPR – or both. This allows for parallel proceedings both pursuant to Article 77 GDPR and under Article 79 GDPR regarding the same alleged GDPR infringement.<ref>''Martini'' in Paal, Pauly, Datenschutz Grundverordnung Bundesdatenschutzgesetz, Article 79 GDPR, margin number 12 (C.H. Beck 2021, 3th edition).</ref> As the GDPR foresees no rules on how to handle the dangers of contradictory decisions by a SA and a court of law<ref>Note that Article 81 GDPR (“''Suspension of proceedings''”) only deals with parallel proceedings before two courts in different Member States but not with the situation of proceedings concerning the same subject matter pending before a court and a SA.</ref> and the question of the binding effect of a SA decision for a court (and vice versa), those issues are to be solved under Member State law for this situation.<ref>''Leupold, Schrems'' in Knyrim, Der Datkomm, Article 79 GDPR, margin numbers 25 to 28 (rdb.at 2018).</ref>

==== Legal Remedy Against the Court’s Decision and Requests for Preliminary Rulings ====
The possibility of a legal remedy against a court decision under Article 79 GDPR is subject to the procedural law of the Member States. A request for a preliminary ruling by the CJEU under Article 267 TFEU is possible at any stage of the proceedings in accordance with established principles.<ref>''Nemitz'' in Ehmann, Selmayr, DS-GVO, Article 79 GDPR, margin number 9 (C.H. Beck 2018, 2<sup>nd</sup> edition).</ref>

=== (2) Competent Court ===

==== Controller’s/Processor’s Establishment or Data Subject’s Habitual Residence ====
Article 79(2) GDPR is considered the ''.'' to the general rules of international jurisdiction under Regulation (EU) No 1215/2012.<ref>''Boehm'' in Simitis, Hornung, Spiecker gen. Döhmann, Datenschutzrecht, Article 79 GDPR, margin number 17 (C.H. Beck 2019).</ref> The data subject can choose to bring proceedings against a controller or processor either (i) with the courts of the Member State where the controller or processor has an establishment or (ii) the courts of the Member State where the data subject has their habitual residence. Taking into account Recital 22 GDPR, establishment “''implies the effective and real exercise of activity through stable arrangements. The legal form of such arrangements, whether through a branch or a subsidiary with a legal personality, is not the determining factor in that respect.''”<ref>See the wide interpretation by the CJEU 13.05.2014, C-131/12 (Google Spain). The CJEU considered the requirement of “''processing of personal data carried out in the context of the activities of an establishment''” under Article 4(1)(a) of Directive 95/46 fulfilled “''when the operator of a search engine sets up in a Member State a branch or subsidiary which is intended to promote and sell advertising space offered by that engine and which orientates its activity towards the inhabitants of that Member State''.”</ref> The data subject cannot choose where to bring proceedings against a public authority of a Member State acting in the exercise of its public powers. Such proceedings must be brought before the court of the Member State the public authority belongs to.<ref>''Bergt'' in Kühling, Buchner, DS-GVO BDSG, Artikel 79 GDPR, margin number 14 (C.H. Beck 2020, 3rd edition).</ref> The question of which national court of the respective Member State is competent for legal proceedings is subject to Member State law.<ref>''Werkmeister'' in Gola, Datenschutz-Grundverordnung, Artikel 79 GDPR, margin number 11 (C.H. Beck 2018, 2<sup>nd</sup> edition).</ref>
== Decisions ==
→ You can find all related decisions in [[:Category:Article 79 GDPR]]

== References ==
<references />

[[Category:GDPR Articles]]

Article 79 GDPR - Revision history

Bodobalazs: 1 revision imported: GDPRHUB import 2023 04 18