Member News

First Belgian GDPR fine

By Stephanie De Smedt | Loyens & Loeff

On 28 May 2019, the Data Protection Authority (DPA) imposed its first administrative fine under the GDPR . A mayor was fined 2,000 EUR for misusing personal data for electoral campaign purposes. The DPA noted that while the fine is modest, the message is not: all data controllers must take their responsibility, most certainly those who hold a public mandate.

The case: sending of personalized e-mail by a government representative
The DPA received a complaint about a mayor who re-used personal data received during the performance of his duties for electoral campaign purposes. The mayor received this data when the complainants contacted him through their architect as part of a subdivision modification. The architect contacted the mayor by e-mail and copied the complainants in this e-mail. The day before the municipal elections of 14 October 2018, the mayor used this e-mail to send an electoral message to the complainants.

Following a hearing of both parties on 28 May 2019, the Dispute Chamber came to the conclusion that the GDPR had indeed been infringed by the major.

Non-compliance with the purpose limitation principle
The GDPR specifies that personal data collected for specific purposes must not be processed for a new purpose if this is incompatible with the original purposes. The re-use of data (in this case, e-mail addresses) obtained within the framework of an urban development project for electoral campaign purposes goes against the purpose limitation principle and therefore constitutes an infringement of the GDPR.

The Dispute Chamber held that compliance with the purpose limitation principle is one of the essential elements of the GDPR and that holders of a public mandate (such as mayors) to whom citizens have entrusted their personal data must be particularly vigilant. They must be aware that data obtained in the framework of a public office may never be re-used for personal purposes.

Given the limited number of persons involved and the limited impact of the infringement, the Dispute Chamber imposed a reprimand and a modest fine of 2,000 EUR.

A regulation applicable to everyone
This decision constitutes the first administrative fine imposed by the DPA, and was taken only one month after the new members of the Belgian DPA have taken office. While the fine is modest, the message is not: data protection concerns us all and GDPR compliance applies to all controllers, most certainly to those who hold a public mandate.

The mayor can appeal the decision of the DPA with the Brussels Markets Court.

Compliments of Loyens & Loeff, a member of the EACCNY