The Italian Data Protection Authority’s recent decision provided guidance on the true meaning of personal data anonymization and the crucial distinction between the DPO as a monitor – not an executor. In a world driven by AI and public surveillance, both concepts are more relevant than ever.
On April 10, 2025, the Garante issued a
Continue Reading ITALY: Personal data anonymization and the risk of the DPO being an executor
On 8 July 2025, the DIFC Data Protection Law No. 5 of 2020 (DIFC Data Protection Law) was amended to introduce several substantive changes, including the landmark creation of a private right of action for data subjects, clarifications to the extraterritorial scope, and increased financial penalties for non-compliance.
The changes broadly reflect those
Continue Reading Dubai International Financial Centre: Updates to the DIFC Protection Laws
It’s well-known that China’s data protection laws define sensitive personal information very differently to other jurisdictions. Instead of a closed list of data types, sensitive personal information in China has traditionally been defined by reference to a broad “risk of harm” test. A new national standard, which will come into force on 1 November 2025
Continue Reading CHINA: definition and handling of Sensitive Personal Information helpfully clarified
The Italian Data Protection Authority (Garante) has fined a company EUR 420,000 for violating privacy laws in the workplace. The decision focuses on the employer’s use of content from Facebook, WhatsApp, and Messenger— shared from the employee’s personal accounts—for disciplinary purposes.
This ruling will have serious repercussions for any employer operating in Italy, especially those
Continue Reading Italy: Garante issues fine for use of employee’s private chats in disciplinary actions
While appointing and registering a DPO has been mandatory in China for many years, a portal has now finally been established for organisations to register those DPOs with the China data protection authority. This resolves long-standing uncertainty over how DPOs must be registered, and over relevant qualifications and location of the DPO. The deadline for
Continue Reading CHINA: DPOs must be registered before 29 August 2025
A recent and far-reaching decision by the Italian Data Protection Authority (Garante) has significantly altered the rules governing marketing privacy consent in Italy, introducing a potential obligation to adopt a double opt-in mechanism for collecting consent, that exceeds the requirements in other EU countries.
Why This Case Matters: A Shift in Privacy Consent
Continue Reading Italy: Marketing Privacy Consent – Is Double Opt-In Now Mandatory?
The NIS2 Directive has significantly reshaped the cybersecurity landscape across the EU. Since the implementation deadline in October 2024, EU Member States have been working to incorporate new standards into their national laws, fostering a dynamic and rapidly evolving regulatory environment. Recently, Ireland’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) published the draft NIS2 Risk Management Measures
Continue Reading Ireland: NIS2 revamps Ireland’s cybersecurity landscape: Old regulators, new powers
The Spanish Data Protection Authority (“AEPD“) has published its 2024 annual report, which includes the AEPD’s awareness-raising activities; the collaboration and inspection activities of the Spanish authorities; relevant reports and procedures published during 2024; and an analysis of regulatory trends and key privacy challenges for the coming months. The annual report’s key elements
Continue Reading Spain: Spanish Data Protection Authority Publishes Annual Report
The potential criminalization of activities associated with ransomware cyber attacks, including ransom payments by victims, has long been an unresolved issue. This concern has now led Italy to introduce a ground breaking legislative proposal aimed at enhancing cybersecurity and mitigating threats posed by digital extortionists.
Recognizing ransomware cyberattacks not merely as economic disturbances but as
Continue Reading Italy: Ransomware and Crime – A Proposal to Tackle Cyber Extortion in Italy
On 17th June 2025, the Spanish Data Protection Authority (“AEPD”) published guidance in relation to Royal Decree 933/2021, which regulates document registration and information obligations relating to accommodation and motor vehicle rental activities (“Royal Decree“). In particular, the AEPD has clarified that the Royal Decree does not authorise requests for copies
Continue Reading Spain: AEPD Guidance – Important Update on Royal Decree 933/2021
