Efforts to raise awareness of the General Data Protection Regulation in the Czech Republic and the Commission's assessment of those efforts

2.3.2018

Question for written answer E-001343-18
to the Commission
Rule 130
Michaela Šojdrová (PPE)

On 24 January 2018, the Commission published its Guidance on the direct application of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). According to those guidelines, the Commission supports and advises the Member States and has mobilised funds to help raise awareness of the GDPR, in particular among small and medium-sized enterprises.

In the Czech Republic, the GDPR has been a matter of general concern, and it is widely believed that the requirements it has introduced will create a significant administrative burden, could be difficult to interpret, and will have a disproportionate impact on entities that process personal data on a small scale.

1. On the basis of the bilateral meetings it has held, how adequate does the Commission believe that the approach to the interpretation of the GDPR taken by the Czech Republic’s monitoring body (the Office for Personal Data Protection) and other public bodies has been in comparison with that taken by the other Member States?2. Is the Commission making sure that the EU funds made available to help raise awareness of the new rules, in particular among small and medium-sized enterprises, are being distributed fairly and efficiently?3. In what way is the Commission taking account of the guidance offered by representatives of civil society and businesses, academics and expert practitioners on how to ensure that the relevant stakeholders are properly informed about the GDPR?