BvD welcomes plans to retain data protection officers

The schedule for EU-GDPR implementation must, however, be followed

The Association of Data Protection Officers of Germany (BvD) supports the plans of the Federal Ministry of the Interior to retain the post of data protection officers in authorities and companies in the Federal Data Protection Act (BDSG) amendment. The recently leaked and reportedly in the meantime withdrawn draft of a general Federal Data Protection Act takes into account the increased demands on data processing and protection, explained BvD Board member Thomas Spaeing on Monday in Berlin.

“Data protection officers will offer know-how and consulting to ensure that personal data will be lawfully processed at companies and authorities, thereby contributing to the building of trust in public entities and firms”, said Spaeing.

He on this occasion also urged swift agreement on points of contention in the planned legislative amendments. Spaeing emphasised that the debate on the reform of the Federal Data Protection Act should not jeopardise implementation of the EU General Data Protection Regulation on the agreed date of 25 May, 2018. Agreements would need to be reached promptly to allow authorities and companies a transition period and thereby certainty of planning for the adaptation of processes and documents to new requirements.

Especially internal data protection officers who are already working on transition to the future EU law will need clarity in terms of the national definition of data protection rights.

Delay would also imply uncertainty of data processing by the affected parties. This is why all participating bodies should work towards a quick agreement, said Spaeing.

With her detailed criticism of the 1st draft bill, the Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information, Andrea Voßhoff, clearly highlighted the weak points in the draft.

Since the draft bill here under discussion was withdrawn and a new draft is expected soon, the BvD will at that stage focus on the content of the new draft.

Your BvD contact person:
Chairman of the Board Thomas Spaeing, Budapester Straße 31, 10787 Berlin
Tel: 030 . 26 36 77 60, E-Mail: bvd-gs@bvdnet.de, Internet: https://www.bvdnet.de