What rights do individuals have in case of violations of the GDPR?
July 14, 2024 | 50,00 EUR | answered by Andrea Schlattmann
Dear data protection lawyer,
My name is Renata Zellerbach and I have a question regarding my rights as a data subject in case of violations of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). In my case, there has been an incident where my personal data was disclosed without my consent.
The situation is as follows: I recently discovered that a company I have done business with in the past has shared my data with third parties without my consent. This clearly violates the GDPR, which is designed to protect personal data. As a data subject, I am now concerned about my privacy and would like to know what rights I have in this situation.
Therefore, my specific question is: What legal steps can I take as a data subject if my data protection rights are violated? Are there options to claim damages or take action against the company that unlawfully shared my data? I would like to know how I can enforce my rights as a data subject and what measures I should take to prevent such violations in the future.
Thank you in advance for your help and support. I look forward to your expertise and advice on this matter.
Sincerely,
Renata Zellerbach
Dear Mrs. Zellerbach,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding your rights as a data subject in case of violations of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). I am sorry to hear that your personal data was disclosed without your consent. This does indeed constitute a violation of the GDPR, which aims to ensure the protection of personal data.
As a data subject, you have various legal options to address such violations. First and foremost, you should formally request the company that disclosed your data to cease the unlawful disclosure and delete your data. If the company does not respond to your request or the violations persist, you can contact the data protection authority in your country and file a complaint. The data protection authority will then conduct an investigation and take measures against the company if necessary.
Additionally, as a data subject, you have the right to claim damages. If you can prove that you suffered harm as a result of the unlawful disclosure of your data, you can demand compensation from the company. It is important to gather all relevant evidence and, if necessary, seek legal assistance to successfully enforce your claims.
To prevent such violations in the future, I recommend that you familiarize yourself with your rights as a data subject in the field of data protection and actively defend them. Be vigilant in handling your personal data and carefully consider which companies you entrust with your data. Familiarize yourself with the privacy policies of companies and ensure that your data is handled securely and lawfully.
I hope that my explanations are helpful to you and support you in enforcing your rights as a data subject. If you have any further questions or require legal advice, I am at your disposal.
Best regards,
Andrea Schlattmann
Data Protection Lawyer
