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By Patrick Van Eecke and Antoon Dierick

Almost five months after federal parliamentary elections took place, the negotiators from the four political parties around the negotiating table (Flemish parties NVA, CD&V and Open VLD and Walloon party MR) reached a coalition agreement which contains quite a few interesting policy initiatives…
Continue Reading BELGIUM: Belgian government’s new focus on privacy and technology laws

MORE ENFORCEMENT POWERS FOR BELGIAN PRIVACY COMMISSION

By Patrick Van Eecke and Julie De Bruyn (DLA Piper – Brussels)

The quietness in the privacy landscape in Belgium is about to drastically change. Reason for the change of pace are the recent major data breaches that were published by the media. The Privacy Commission announced it will establish a dedicated task force to carry out proactive audits focusing on different sectors, such as financial and insurance institutions, hospitals and other health providers, and telecom operators.

Draft Belgian legislation will grant the Privacy Commission the power to independently impose monetary fines and other sanctions, such as the blocking of access to certain databases by non-compliant companies, or the withdrawal of the permits to make use of such (public) databases. The expansion of powers would transform the Privacy Commission from passive bystander to an actual ‘Privacy Police’.

Continue Reading Belgium: Beware of the barking Privacy Watchdog, she’s biting

WRITTEN BY:  Patrick Van Eecke

The Belgian Privacy Commission has finally clarified whether or not, and under which circumstances an employer is allowed to monitor the use of internet, e-mail and other e-communication tools by its employees. Prior to the Commission’s additional guidance in this respect, employees could in principle …
Continue Reading BELGIUM: CYBER SURVEILLANCE OF EMPLOYEES BY EMPLOYERS