Věra Jourová is guardian of European data protection. During Facebook scandal, EU Commissioner for Justice, Consumer protection and Equality wrote an open letter to Facebook's operative head, Sheryl Sandberg, requesting clarification from her. Her weakness for data protection is also reflected in her work: Since 2014, Czech politician has worked on basic data Protection regulation, which will take effect in all EU countries on 25 May, after two years of probation. Time online, EU Commissioner met for an interview in Berlin.
Time Online: Mrs. Jourová, basically DSGVO changes little: If I want to use a service, I have to agree to terms and conditions, and if it says that company collects personal data, I cannot change that. What does this have to do with more privacy?
Věra Jourová: The DSGVO means more control for people about your data. That is protection we grant. Each person must actively agree wher or not y want to give a company ir data. Currently, users in digital sphere are asked dozens of times per week for ir data and do not know why. It's like a strange man coming to her table in restaurant and asking her when y were born, how her sister hot, where she lived, and how high her blood pressure is. We want people to know who is asking for ir data and what it is used for.
Time Online: The DSGVO regulates, among or things, right to Vergessenwerden. How can consumers be sure that ir data has actually been deleted? Facebook has also asked Cambridge Analytica to delete illegally acquired information from Facebook users – but this has not been done by company as we know today.
Jourová: You must have confidence. If you have a reasonable suspicion that your data has not been deleted, you can contact data protection officer. He can check deletion.
Time online: In Germany, a debate has entsponnened on wher new law does not trigger a wave of action. Do you see any danger?
Jourová: No.
Time Online: why not?
Jourová: Let me say this more differentiated: Of course, we must not underestimate fear that DSGVO is being abused. There are always crazy people who want to use laws for ir own benefit – competitors, for example, or former employees. But I don't expect massive abuse. Fortunately, most people are normal – y have or hobbies than to sue ir fellow men.
Time Online: The EU has defined a maximum penalty for a violation of DSGVO-20 million euros or four percent of annual turnover-but not a minimum penalty. As a result, even smaller organizations and bloggers cannot estimate risk – that's a problem.
Jourová: Penalties are proportional to size of organization or company. But re are, in any case, several barriers to a wave of action. When someone goes to court, he has to take a lot of money in his hand. Not everyone. And when someone complains to data protection authorities, y investigate how well-founded accusations are. If complaints are not correct, you will not do anything. The high penalties should, above all, deter large corporations.
Date Of Update: 17 May 2018, 12:03
