AEPD (Spain) - EXP202104693
From GDPRhub
| AEPD - EXP202104693 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Authority: | AEPD (Spain) |
| Jurisdiction: | Spain |
| Relevant Law: | Article 6(1) GDPR |
| Type: | Complaint |
| Outcome: | Upheld |
| Started: | |
| Decided: | |
| Published: | |
| Fine: | 5,000 EUR |
| Parties: | ESTUDIO INMOBILIARIO SAN ISIDRO |
| National Case Number/Name: | EXP202104693 |
| European Case Law Identifier: | n/a |
| Appeal: | Unknown |
| Original Language(s): | Spanish |
| Original Source: | AEPD (in ES) |
| Initial Contributor: | Bernardo Armentano |
The Spanish DPA imposed a fine of €5,000 on a real estate agency that obtained personal data from a third party to offer its services to the data subject, without having a proper legal basis. Besides, the controller cannot rely on legitimate interest without prior balancing test.
English Summary
Facts
Employees of the controller, a real estate agency, came to the data subject's home to offer their services in relation to a property owned by her father. Intrigued, she asked the employees where they had obtained her and her father's personal data. In response, employees admitted to using a website as a source to find out where they lived.
The data subject then filed a complaint with the Spanish DPA, claiming that obtaining her data from a third party and using it for promotional purposes was illegal. Subsequently, the DPA instituted a sanctioning procedure and notified the controller.
In response, the controller informed that its employees regularly distribute free advertisement magazines door-to-door in the neighborhood where they agency is located. After months of leaving the magazines on the doorstep of one house in particular, the employees noticed that no one was living there and asked the neighbors for information regarding the owner of the house. They obtained the name of the owner and his daughter from the neighbors and then used the service of a website called Quality Provider to find out where they lived. Upon discovering that the daughter lived nearby, the employees decided to contact her directly to offer her their services.
Holding
The Spanish DPA began its analysis by emphasizing that all processing of personal data needs a legal basis. It recalled that access to personal data, in itself, constitutes a processing operation and must be supported by a legal basis.
In the present case, the DPA noted that the controller did not indicate any of the hypotheses of Article 6(1) GDPR as a legitimizing basis for its action. In addition, it pointed out that, when the controller intends to rely on its legitimate interests, it must carry out a balancing exercise prior to the processing of personal data.
Considering that the controller failed to comply with this obligation, the DPA found a violation of article 6(1) GDPR and imposed a fine of €5,000.
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English Machine Translation of the Decision
The decision below is a machine translation of the Spanish original. Please refer to the Spanish original for more details.
1/48
File No.: EXP202100603
RESOLUTION OF SANCTIONING PROCEDURE
Of the procedure instructed by the Spanish Agency for Data Protection and based on
to the following
BACKGROUND
FIRST: A.A.A. British citizen residing in Spain (hereinafter, the
claimant) dated 06/21/2021, filed a claim in English, before the Agency
Spanish Data Protection. The claim is directed against GSMA LTD. with
NIF N4004237F (hereinafter, the one claimed). The reasons on which the claim is based
are the following:
She was invited as a speaker in the edition of the MOBILE WORLD CONGRESS, (MWC)
June 2021, held in Barcelona. To this end, the option was given to register
for the event in "virtual", or "in person". For the "in-person" option, "the
claimed requests to upload special category data-passport details,
including photographs that are transferred to a processor located in a third country-,
for facial recognition for security purposes”.
It states that the privacy policy (https://www.mwcbarcelona.com/legal/privacy-
policy), "establishes that the basis of treatment is consent, however, in
email has been declared to be based on article 6.1 c) of the GDPR, it is
that is, compliance with a legal obligation, referring to article 22.2 of
the LOPD and article 11.1.h of Organic Law 2/1986. not possible to register
as a face-to-face speaker without uploading (uploading) biometric data. despite trying
troubleshoot the issue to find an alternative, it has been necessary to upload my
passport for registration.”
It considers that there is no valid legal obligation for this type of treatment of
face recognition.
On the other hand, neither the privacy policies nor the communications maintained with the
claimed through email, provide clear information on the
data transfers to a data processor in a third country.
While the policies do not refer to any sub-processor,
nor are transfers to third parties recognized, if it is done in documents referenced to
through the privacy policy in a FAQ section,
https://www.mwcbarcelona.com/attend/event-entry/breez/breez-faq, which indicates
that:
"If you decide to participate in BREEZ (acronym for Biometric Recognition Easy Entry
Zone, easy access zone with biometric recognition), your biometric data will be
communicated to the following third-party provider that carries out the recovery activities:
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facial knowledge of the Event: ScanVis Ltd.", considering the claimant who is
producing a transfer.
In communications with the GSMA, they have stated in an email: "Regarding
tion with your fourth point, the servers that process ID-related data are
located in Europe. There is no transfer of personal data to Russia. Our supplier-
chosen service provider has a global presence, despite being based in Bien-
lorussia. Please be assured that the GSMA only contracts with companies to
act on their behalf if such companies are able to provide representation
nes and guarantees against unauthorized transfer to third parties.”
“Although we have asked the GSMA for any standard contractual clauses or rules
relevant binding corporate laws, none have been provided.
“With reference to the recommendations of the European Committee for Data Protection
(CEPD) on measures that complement the transfer tools for
ensure compliance with the EU level of Personal Data Protection,
adopted on November 10, 2020, I believe that the GSMA has not considered the risk
potential transfer to a third country through remote access. Therefore, the
supposed confidence in the adequacy as an instrument of legal transfer is not
effective."
Provide a copy of the email chain exchanged from 05/20 to
06/4/2021, which are summarized:
Claimed, 05/20/2021, 10:16 a.m. Associated with an “invitation to register”. You
informs that MWC 21 is now contactless, for faster and safer access, with
mandatory pre-arrival identity verification for all attendees.
To enter MWC 21 and other events associated with the invitation. associate listed
the terms and conditions indicating that admission is subject to them. Links appear
for: “How to register”. Once you have filled in the complete “registration system”,
"You will receive an email confirmation with more information." "Please keep in mind:
There are no registration support areas at the MWC 21 venue, so make sure that
is fully registered before your arrival at the venue. Any error in it may
delay your access to the event”.
Complainant, 05/20/2021, 10:39 a.m. “I would like to convey my concern about
your mandatory request, which was optional last year, about uploading/downloading my
documentation on its website” ”The passport or identity card is information
very private and share it with a third party that is not part of a structure
government, nor is it something I am required to do by law” ”does not provide
information about how this information will be stored, shared”.
Claimed, 05/20/2021, 11:41 a.m. Please note that this year you are required to
“upload” your ID. We do this identity verification in the
registration, since paper credentials or “on-site” registration will not be provided
(in the place).
“Using facial recognition technology, attendees can have a
Instant identity verification when they register using the option
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BREEZ. We will take your passport image and use biometric tokens to
Match this against the photo we will take of you during the registration procedure.
tro. All persons entering Spain must be fully registered to
the MWC 21. He states that they work together with the Mossos d' Esquadra in the security plan
security to identify and redirect potential security threats. picking up the
identification of attendees is one of the means to improve our security
general and that of the assistants. Indicates two address links, one from the privacy policy
vacancy and another of the terms and conditions of assistance to expand that information.
tion.
Complainant, 05/20/2021, at 11:19 a.m., who insists that his questions have not
been answered.
Claimed, 05/28/2021, at 10:46 a.m. Indicates that information is available
about the process required for identification, the recipients and the period of
retention on a registration faqs page, and on the privacy policy page, as well
as in the registration process. “In summary, the GSMA organizes the MWC together
with the Spanish authorities. Passport and identification details are required
by the Spanish police, Mossos d' Esquadra. Please note that this is not a
new requirement. However, the manner in which this information is provided,
electronically, has changed for 2021, because businesses need to have
a non-contact environment.” That being said, keep in mind that identification, data
of identification and the fact of providing the passport, it is not obligatory for the
virtual pass holders, who may attend without providing such information.”
Complainant, 05/28/2021, 11:26 a.m. It indicates that the website suggests that the person
can select, not opt-out, by automatic registration, "and it is something that
like to do". It also alludes to the fact that the website mentions health reasons for uploading
the documentation, but this would not justify uploading the passport and the photo for not keeping
relationship, and that on the web it can be deduced that the data is transferred to an entity
Belarus, with the dangers that this entails.
Claimed, 06/2/2021, 2:53 p.m. He explains that MWC 21 offers options, in
person and virtual. The virtual does not require you to upload an identification document.
If you choose to attend in person, then identity verification is required.
given by the Mossos d` Esquadra, a Spanish police force that does not make exceptions for
residents in Spain. All attendees must have their identity verified.”
“the measure is not related to COVID…”” In the previous Congresses all
attendees had to carry their identification on a credential card. The ninth-
The reality for this 2021 is that this verification will be done digitally before the event,
due to non-contact environment. For identity verification in digital, to all
users are required to upload an image of their identity document and
provide a photograph of themselves. Attendees have two options:
-“ an automatic verification that uses facial recognition technology to match
Check the image of the identity document with your photo. These assistants can use
own queues for facial recognition to access the event”.
-A manual verification that is carried out by an agent who visually compares
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the two images. These attendees can access the venue by scanning their code
QR on your digital badge which contains your photo. This process does not use any tech-
facial recognition technology.
"You must select the second option if you do not want automatic verification."
"In relation to your fourth point, the servers that process the identification data
are established in Europe. There is no transfer of personal data to
Russia. Our selected service providers have a global presence
despite the fact that its headquarters are in Belarus. GSMA only contracts with companies that
act on their behalf if such companies are able to provide warranties
aunts against transfers to third parties.”
Complainant, 06/2/2021, 4:18 p.m. “I don't want to be a virtual speaker. But not
I'm sure I understood how to register without uploading my passport. not me
It doesn't matter if I get verified at the counter, but I don't want my data to be
stored anywhere. How do I proceed? He adds that the local authorities
they can access data from companies, to servers operating in Belarus.
Complainant, 06/3/2021 at 11:10 a.m. "I still haven't received your response about
how to proceed with the registration in the real event without downloading my documents”
The deadline for registration is June 6. Please note that the reasons for
security displayed on your website is not a valid legal basis of article 6 of the GDPR.
Request, send you:
-Copy of the standard contractual clauses with the company in Belarus
-The accreditation that has carried out an impact evaluation of the transfers-
references to determine whether the laws of Belarus are adequate.
-Specify what technical measures have been implemented to prevent access to
I am from the Belarusian authorities.
Claimed, 06/04/, 2:59 p.m. It tells you that the processing of your data takes place
in Europe and that use standard contractual clauses, or adequacy decision
from third countries and other legal tools to transmit the data outside the
European Economic Area or Switzerland. "While the treatment of the data of
identification is relevant to achieving security objectives, requirements
established by article 22.2 LOPD and article 11.1h) for the application of the
Organic Law 2/1986, GSMA treats the data as requested by the Mossos d`Esquadra,
in application of article 6.1.c) of the GDPR."
Complainant, 06/4/2021, 5:42 p.m. “requesting that you explain what you mean, in
as soon as any personal data from the EEA and/or Switzerland is transferred to a third country
outside the EEA or Switzerland, unless it is an adequacy country as defined by the Co-
mission, standard clauses or other legal transfer tool is executed
gives."
If my passport is not a passport of the countries of the European Economic Area and
Switzerland, does this mean that my personal data will be transferred outside of the EEA? if this
is the case, I would like to know to which country and see the standard contractual clauses. It's a
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GDPR right to request it.”
SECOND: For being related and being mentioned either in the claim, or in the
emails, they are reviewed;
a) Clause of "general terms and conditions for assistance" MWC
2021, Barcelona" in which attendees have to accept these conditions,
including, among others, registering for an account on the website, registering
in the event through the website, accept an invitation to an event.
It states: “Identification: You agree to carry a photo identification issued
by your government in the form of a passport or national identification card of the
UE with you at all times during the Event. You will be asked to submit di-
cha id. You are solely responsible for the accuracy of all data.
Personal data provided when registering for the Event…”
b) “privacy policy”, last update 04/29/2021.
In: "When the privacy policy applies", it applies to various groups
participants in the MWC, among other speakers or speakers, assistants, in
relation to the personal data obtained, via: the attendance registration system
event app, digital and/or printed credential cards, or the system
facial recognition scanning mama (at access points, for session-
nes or to participate in closed-space meetings).
"Information you voluntarily provide."
"Account creation and registration": indicates various ways of collecting data with
examples “when you… create an account with us, you sign up for the
event, ...you require a service…””The information collected includes, but is not limited to,
limit to: your name, position, company name, work address, work email
under, job functions, phone number, area of interest, and photograph. Yeah
you are a speaker, as additional information, your professional profile
“Automatic identity validation (facial recognition, RF)”. with his
consent, if you choose to register at MWC Barcelona through “validation
of automatic identity”, we can process your biometric data (through the use
of RF technology) during the online registration process and when you attend the
event, strictly for the limited purposes of verifying your identity. If you use
this process during registration, RF technology matches
automatically the image you provide us with the photograph on your
Passport/EU National Identity Card. This RF technology analyzes
their facial features by taking measurements of the data points that make up the
expensive. These data points include the distance between your eyes and the distance
from in front of the chin, etc. The technology processes a series of data points
data to create a map of your face in real time. This becomes a
secure data pattern using a complex algorithm to create your token
biometric (biometric file, identifier). For access security purposes
to the enclosure, we will automatically match the image taken at the point of
access against your biometric token token (ie your facial map). How I know
explained in the section: “your choices and control selection”, below, you can
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withdraw your consent to the use of your biometric data in any
moment. If you do, we will remove your biometric token and the
manual validation of identity, as necessary (although removal of the
consent will not affect the legality of the processing of your biometric data
that has already taken place at the registration stage). Click here to get
more information about how we use facial recognition technologies
for identity verification purposes.
Typing in this space, leads to “BREEZ FAQS -FR ( Easy entry zone
with biometric recognition--Frequently asked questions”. “The convenient way
registration in MWC”” is based on RF technology to provide
Create an ID via photo matching at registration in the
online registrations and identify and verify attendees from lists. Presents itself
as “RF technology to “Provide instant identity verification”
online through photo matching in the online registration system, and
Identify and verify registered attendees to allow access to facilities
event information and restricted areas (access to the BREEZ venue).
Free lanes are currently available at periphery access points.
the event and in the perimeter of the ministerial program.”
Who can use BREEZ?
All attendees can use BREEZ to speed up their identity check
in the automatic identity identification registration system, in addition to
take advantage of faster and smoother access control functionality during
the days of the event through BREEZ Venue access. Registration in BREEZ
it is completely voluntary.”
How can I sign up to use BREEZ?
“You can sign up for BREEZ during the event registration process or at
any time after you have registered for the event Follow these
easy steps:
1 “Give your explicit consent to use BREEZ
2 “By giving your consent, you will be prompted to have your photo taken through the system
ScanVis facial recognition theme for creating your biometric profile”.
3 “The uploaded photo will go through a quality check to ensure
that is suitable for facial recognition. If the parameters are met
defined, your biometric profile will be created. If not, you will be prompted to complete
the previous step again.”
4. “Your BREEZ photo will then be compared to your passport photo do-
European Union national identity card using your biometric profile.
co and a match score will be produced. If the score is below
above the threshold of the system, your identity will be confirmed, if not, your photos will be re-
endorsed and compared by a human being. This is the automatic validation of
ID”.
5. Once your registration is complete (payment / code provided), you will be
will enroll in BREEZ and will benefit from access to the BREEZ site, using the
BREEZ lanes on site, for a contactless experience.
A summary drawing with icons titled "automatic validation of
identity, what is automatic identity validation “we will use technology of
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RF to automatically match the image we captured against the photo-
spelling in your passport national identity card. To do that we will create
a biometric token which will contain the sensitive information of the data on
their unique facial features.”
It comes in a series of drawings, in the first one “does not wait”: “The validation of the
identity will be completely instantaneous. Withdrawal of your consent
to use your biometric data for access to the facility, it will not affect the
processing of biometric data that has already been carried out for purposes
identity validation.
In the second drawing it says “safe and protected”: “We take care of your data assuring
telling us that they are kept safe. For more information on how GSMA
will process your biometric data, to whom it may be disclosed and how to withdraw your
consent to the use of this biometric data for the MWC, please
see our privacy notice.”
Finally, the last drawing: “easy access”: “For access to the facilities, the
contactless use of BREEZ in queues will verify your image captured by the
cameras against your biometric token for identification validation purposes
tion. “
It is also stated at the bottom that “You consent to GSMA using
your biometric data obtained from the photographs provided by you
for identification validation purposes in the context of online registration
and for the MWC Barcelona for purposes of access to the venue”, preceded by
a box that indicates ”Yes, I consent to the use of my biometric data for validation
automatic giving of identity”.
How can I opt out of BREEZ?”
Your consent to participate in BREEZ remains valid as long as you maintain
have your MWC account or until you stop participating in BREEZ.
You can unsubscribe from BREEZ by withdrawing your consent at any time.
ment by accessing your registration account through https://register.mwcbarce-
lona.com/login and clicking the Unenroll button on BREEZ, or
contacting registration@mwcbarcelona.com.
If you do not consent to the use of BREEZ during the registration process,
has the alternative option of common/standard manual ID validation (management
via our Contact Center) at the time of registration and the
use of a digital badge (available in the My MWC events app
app) to access the venue. Your ability to attend the Event is not affected.
by a refusal/withdrawal of consent.
If you withdraw your consent before or during the Event, you will need to use your Badge
digital (available in the My MWC event app) and scan it each time
to enter the event. As discussed above, in addition to providing
BREEZ Venue Access, BREEZ provides Automatic ID Validation
ethics during the registration process by comparing the image of your passport /
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EU national ID with your BREEZ profile to verify that the document
item entered matches the individual registrant. Please note that the
Automatic ID validation uses biometric data and occurs instantly
during the BREEZ registration process. The biometric token created for the
image matching process will be removed four (4) weeks after
of the end of the Event. Therefore, while you can withdraw your consent
of BREEZ at any time, there is no opportunity to withdraw consent.
Automatic ID Validation after that step of the process is completed.
registration cease.
Please note that although your consent remains valid as long as
maintain your MWC account, your biometric data is only retained for
4 weeks after the Event. This is an important step to protect your information.
training. Only when you register for a Later Event with your account at the
MWC, the biometric token will be regenerated.
How is my biometric data used and stored?
“After consenting to BREEZ and uploading a photo, our so-
facial recognition software analyzes facial features by taking measurements
measurements of the data points that make up the face. These data points
include the distance between your eyes and the distance from the forehead to the chin,
etc The technology processes a series of data points to create a map in
real time of your face. This is converted to a safe data pattern using
a complex algorithm to create your biometric token.
Your “biometric token” will be stored and retained in the European Union during the
duration of the Event and will be securely destroyed within 4 weeks
after the Event. GSMA is committed to protecting your personal data.
We have implemented appropriate technical and organizational measures to guarantee
ensure that your data is safe at all times. Each biometric token is encrypted
cold and stored in a separate database from the raw data used
two at its creation.
During the registration process, BREEZ is used to compare the image of your
passport/EU national ID card with your BREEZ profile for
complete Automatic Identity Validation. In the Event, BREEZ is used-
will be used to identify registered attendees to provide access to
BREEZ Venue. When you enter the BREEZ lane and approach a camera, be-
You will be recognized and granted access to the Event. This is done by matching
dir the real-time image of your face with the biometric token created during
the registration process.”
To whom are my biometric data disclosed?
“If you choose to participate in BREEZ, your biometric data will be disclosed to the following
third-party provider that performs facial recognition activities for
the Event: ScanVis Ltd.”
If BREEZ has no contact, can I leave my digital badge and ID
at the hotel?"
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All attendees must have their digital credential available to enter the
external perimeter of the place. The digital credential will also be the only way to
access partner conferences or sessions.
Everyone in Spain is legally required to carry identification or pa-
Valid passport at all times. Therefore, attendees should keep di-
many identification documents with them during the Event.”
THE PRIVACY POLICY SECTION CONTINUES:
Card/badge scanning
“We, or authorized third parties participating in the Event (including exhibitors)
sponsors and sponsors), we may collect your personal data by scanning your cre-
digital dental. This can occur when you access or leave the site, enter sessions
or other restricted areas at the Event, or enters an enclosed space, meeting room,
nions or restaurant. This scanning can occur for access control purposes, analysed.
lysis, event planning, logistics, health and safety (including prevention of
disease spread and contract tracking purposes) and to share
with a third-party session provider if you have scanned your digital badge or registered
to attend that third party's session.
"Share information ",
“We do not sell personal information to anyone and we do not disclose your data
personal data to third parties for independent use, unless": (highlighting
just a few points)
“You have consented that your biometric data obtained through information technology
facial recognition during registrations for access and to the venue are accessible
by third parties-click here for more information on who these third parties are
parts”.
“It is provided to any competent body in charge of enforcing the
law, regulator, government agency, court or other third party, to enforce a
agreement we have with you or to protect our rights, property or
safety, or the rights, property, or safety of our employees or
others. This includes law enforcement agencies
for security purposes and the health authorities, as appropriate.
necessary to prevent the spread of disease, including Covid-19 (for
example, for contact tracing purposes or to facilitate entry into Spain).
“Legal basis for the processing of personal information”
“…we will normally collect your personal information only when we have your con-
feeling to do so, when we need the personal information to perform a
contract with you, or when the processing is in our legitimate interest and is not annulled
side for their interests in Data Protection or fundamental rights and freedoms.
In some cases, we may also have a legal obligation to collect your information.
how can we be asked to do so for reasons of public interest?
or that we need the personal information to protect your vital interests or the
of another person, for example in case of a medical emergency during the event. Yeah
We ask you to provide personal information to comply with a legal requirement.
gal or to perform a contract with you, we will make this clear and inform you if the
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provision of your personal information is mandatory or not (as well as the possible consequences
consequences if you do not provide your personal information. We are legally obligated
two to provide the personal data of the attendees and the provider's staff,
that is, name, date of birth, nationality, type of document number and date of
date of issue, to law enforcement authorities in connection with
event security. Any failure to provide this information will mean
that we cannot without registering you for the event and/or allowing you access to the venue.”
“Transfer of your information to the European Economic Area EEA, United Kingdom and
Swiss."
It informs that GSMA Ltd is based in the USA. “By using your information as is-
set out in this privacy policy, may be transferred to countries outside of the EEA, the
UK and Switzerland. By way of example, this can also happen if one of our
After partner companies or our service providers are in a
country outside the EEA, the UK or Switzerland. When we transfer personal data
from the EEA, UK and Switzerland to other countries, we use a variety of me-
legal mechanisms, including the standard contractual clauses adopted by the Co-
EU mission to ensure your rights and protections travel with your data.
"Data retention"
[…]”
“When you have consented to automatic identity validation, delete
we will mine your biometric token (your facial map) within 28 days after the
last day of the event.
“Your choices and control”
[…]”
“Similarly, if we have collected and processed your personal information about the
based on your consent, you can withdraw it at any time.
“When we process your personal data automatically, for example when we carry-
we carry out automatic identity validation, you have the right to challenge a decision
decision to deny you entry to the event based solely on this self-validation.
identity to the extent that such a decision has a legal basis
or a similar significant effect on you. In such circumstances, you have the right to ex-
express your point of view and request a human review of the decision. can exercise
this right by contacting the contact center prior to the event, at which
In this case, it may be necessary to manually validate the identification and/or carry out other checks.
appropriate security controls.
The last section, "contact us", indicates: "If at any time you want to contact
with us with your views on our privacy practices or any
other query regarding your personal information, or if you do not want us to continue
using your information as indicated above, you can request it by email to
dataprivacy@gsma.com or write to Data Privacy-Legal, GSMA Ltd. The Walbrook
Building 25 Walbrook, London.”
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THIRD: In accordance with article 65.4 of Organic Law 3/2018, of 5/12,
Protection of Personal Data and guarantee of digital rights (hereinafter
LOPDGDD), said claim was transferred to the claimed party, -headquarters of
London – E/8199/2021, so that it “proceeds with its analysis and informs this Agency
within a month, of the actions carried out to adapt to the requirements
sites provided for in the data protection regulations, and specifically:
1. The decision adopted regarding this claim.
2. Report on the causes that have motivated the incidence that has originated the claim
mation.
3. Report, if applicable, on the measures adopted to adapt its "Privacy Policy"
vacancy" to article 13 of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and
of the Council of April 27, 2016 (GDPR), implementation dates and controls
carried out to verify its effectiveness.
4. Justification of the legal basis on which the processing of biomedical data is based.
tricos, a circumstance that lifts the prohibition to deal with special categories of
data, according to article 9 of the GDPR, as well as the need to provide a copy
of the identification document for the accreditation of those attending the event.
5. The purpose of the treatment.
6. The information provided to the interested parties on the processing of their biological data.
metrics and, where appropriate, to obtain your consent.
7. Reasons justifying the necessity and proportionality of the use of bio-data
metrics for the purpose pursued.
8. Measures taken to ensure that data reuse is not possible
biometrics for another purpose.
9. Security measures adopted to protect the confidentiality of the data
personal
10. The Impact Assessment carried out or reasons why it has not been carried out (for
know the list of personal data processing that requires an evaluation
of impact, as well as any other information related to the evaluations
of impact, you can consult the "Manage EIPD" tool at https://www.ae-
pd.es/es/guias-y-herramientas/herramientas/gestiona-eipd)
11. Report on whether international transfers are made and, if applicable, whether there is
adequacy decision or adequate guarantees regarding inter-transfers
national data.
12. Supporting documentation on the relationship between the person in charge and the person in charge
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of activities related to facial recognition.
13. Report on the measures adopted to prevent incidents occurring if-
thousands, dates of implementation and controls carried out to verify its effectiveness.
Inc.
14. Postal address of your representative in the European Union.
15. Any other that you consider relevant.
On 09/10/2021, this Agency received a written response that bears the
indication GSMA Ltd., at an address in Atlanta, USA. It begins by stating:
I am writing on behalf of GSMA Ltd. (GSMA) in connection with the letter sent
E/8199/21…”.
According to information from the internet, GSMA (Global System for Mobile Communications,
“Global System for Mobile Communications”) is an industry organization
of the mobile that brings together operators from all over the world, more than 750 operators of
mobile telephony and more than 400 Companies are associated as members. In the web
www.mwcbarcelona.com/legal which contains information on the Congress of
Barcelona 2022, it is indicated that "GSMA LTD with its main place of business
located in Atlanta, USA, a wholly owned subsidiary of the GSM Association, and
with respect to 4yfn 2022, GSMA 4fyn EVENT MANAGEMENT S.L., a subsidiary
of GSMA LTD., welcomes you to MWC BARCELONA 2022.", and that "GSMA LTD
and its affiliates provide you with the event…”
In response, state:
1) The claimant and the respondent continued in contact after the last copy
of mail of 06/04/2021 and a satisfactory resolution was achieved "registered for the
Congress as a virtual assistant and took part as a speaker in a round table”, and
the respondent provided you with a “free virtual pass” and you were not required to download or upload
an identity document that was the element on which his claim was based. No
It is therefore true that the defendant "uploaded the passport."
2) Provides, for clarification purposes, the statements contained in the
claim and the correction estimated by the defendant, possibly due to
“possible misunderstandings.”
a) Regarding whether the event is face-to-face or virtual, the GSMA requires uploading or uploading data
such as the passport, which are transferred to a person in charge in a third country, manifests
that:
-An identification control was necessary for all face-to-face attendance at the
conference. Identity validation by FR (facial recognition) was optional.
Identity verification was not required for most virtual passes.
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“There was an option for identity validation to take place without the use of
of RF”. “The FR solution was only one of the three options for the validation of
identity made available. Options include:
validation of identification with FR,
the manual validation of identification sent online, (standard ID validation-
common identity validation).
and in limited circumstances, identification validation on paper, face-to-face,
in situ.
He therefore considers that it is not entirely true that: "it is not possible to register as a
face-to-face speaker without uploading biometric data”. Only the option of identification with FR
included the treatment of data of special categories, for which the
explicit consent.
b) On the disagreement in the legitimizing basis of the treatment that derives from the
privacy policy clause, states that not all forms of verification
of identification required the use of FR technologies and that consent
explicit is the legal basis on which the FR data have been processed, not having
discrepancies in the information provided by the defendant, in terms of whether
indicates that the basis of the treatment in the email that the claimant says
having received article 6.1 letter c) of the GDPR was indicated, since, “separately,
GSMA was required by law to provide certain information to the Mossos-
name surname nationality, date of birth, identity document
provided, date of issue and document number.”
c) Information on data transfers and treatment managers will not be
contained in the privacy policy. It was decided to provide that information to
through a page of frequently asked questions, FAQ, so that it was easily
accessible, thus appearing at https://mwcbarcelona.com/attend/event-entry/breez/breez-
faq where service providers are also contained.
Regarding the statement of the defendant that "this establishes that the opt-outs
are available, however, after correspondence by email,
this is incorrect. An opt-out is only available for virtual assistance.”
He states that in "frequently asked questions" they refer to the right to withdraw the
consent in the "How do I unsubscribe from BREEZ" section. "The interested
parses this option in the context of the registry (but is not related to the options
available at registration stage). In addition, for registration purposes, it is
incorrect to say that, except for "virtual" assistance, registrants will be
required to send to the RF a copy of the identification. required a copy of
identification in all cases except (most) attendance passes
virtual, but FR was optional and registrants were invited to consent
expressly for the processing of your biometric data. Applicants for
registry could opt for standard identity validation instead of FR, which does not
it affects your ability to register for the conference. Similarly, don't
we received complaints that opting for a standard ID validation instead
from FR will adversely affect the conference experience.” “To MWC 2021,
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approximately 20,000 delegates attended and our registration team received
very few inquiries regarding identity verification processes, the
most of which were of a technical nature.
3) It states that its privacy policy was updated for the MWC 2021, being its
latest version, 04/29/2021.
4) "FR questions: FR technologies were used (when the person opted for this
option and gave their express consent) to verify the identity of the delegates in
the event, for security purposes. This happened in both cases:
-When the person registers online, that is, FR is used to compare a photo
of the person taken at the time of registration with the photo of the identity document
who climbs up them, and,
-To allow access to the event facilities, (i.e. the token was verified
biometric on the pass of the delegates) automatically against their image using
FR technologies).
As explained above, delegates were able to choose verification of
common identification, which did not imply the use of FR technologies. Instead, the
people had the option of uploading a copy of their identity document and a
photo (taken at the time they registered) which were later reviewed
manually by a third party engaged by the GSMA for these purposes. Your access
was facilitated by security personnel reviewing the image stored on your pass
of conference in front of his aspect/appearance
In a small number of cases, manual identification checks on
person (i.e. checking the paper version of the identification documents)
also took place at the event venue (although exceptionally for
minimize the spread of covid-19, as detailed below) and only
made for certain types of passes.
Identity verification was not performed for the majority of delegates
who attended the event virtually.
As described above, only FR was required as one of the three options
available to register in person for the event.
As also noted above, the GSMA shared some of the information
obtained in the context of identity verification (excluding information
biometric when it is collected) with the Mossos, since it is legally required to
in accordance with article 11.1.h of Organic Law 2/1986, on Public Order. By
for security purposes, and to ensure that you have captured reliable information from the
identity document, the GSMA required the provision of a copy of the identity document
identity.
At MWC 2019, the GSMA allowed paper copies of the documents of
Identification will be manually verified when accessing the MWC headquarters. However
This option has been suppressed - with some exceptions - for health and safety reasons for the
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2021 event, in order to minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19,
reducing queues and crowds at access points. This is in line
with the "action plan for congresses of the Generalitat of Catalonia" to which it is subject
to the GSMA and which expressly requires the replacement of manual processes by
digital processes Provide the link of this plan, dated 07/22/2020. Contains guidelines and
recommendations for the reduction of contagion by coronavirus for meetings and
congresses, which applies to organizers of conferences, congresses or
conventions, responsible for the implementation and coordination of measures between the
which include the preparation of a contingency plan to reduce the risks of
COVID-19.
In point 4.2.3.2 "registration and registration access control", it is indicated that for
adequately manage the entry and exit flows and the traffic of people,
establish the following general measures: encourage online procedures and payments
and the replacement whenever possible of manual processes by digital ones,
sending accreditations online, downloading accreditations on the mobile, promoting
contactless media and manage queues with separator tapes.
FR technologies are also used to improve security. The MWCB is a
event classified as a “high security threat” by the Spanish authorities.
The verification of identification with FR is effective in achieving the objective pursued,
that is, security in a contactless environment.
Delegates who had chosen common or standard ID validation,
they used separate entry lines to those of the FR lines. They scanned your
digital pass and security staff compares the image stored on the pass
digital that was displayed on a screen in the appearance of the delegate. This was done to
some distance given the non-contact environment that the company considered little
likely to be as accurate as the identification check performed with
FR technologies especially in the context of trying to ensure a fast flow of
delegates to avoid overcrowding.
FR access identification checks were also faster, which
reduced waiting time and congestion within a closed space.”
Retained biometric data was deleted at the end of the event, only a few
weeks after registration and a few days after your treatment for control purposes
of access. These measures protect the data from being used for purposes other than the
identity validation.
The page that is included in “privacy policy” gives information about the process of
automatic identification validation, FR, leads to specific information about the
BREEZ (layers) and this page explains the possibility to choose verification of the
common identification, without the use of FR technology”.
Delegates have a real choice between checking their ID using-
do FR technologies or manually. The main difference between the two is that the option
tion FR allows the online registration process to be completed immediately,
while manual ID verification will require a short wait for
a few days to confirm the registration. This brief delay did not affect the ability
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people to register for the in-person experience or delay participation.
tion at the event.
Data protection impact assessment
It is not provided, under the justification that "GSMA has carried out an evaluation
impact on data protection in relation to the use of FR technologies, and
this document is currently being reviewed in preparation for our event
MWC 2022.”
International data transfers
The GSMA has a contract with a third party service provider (ScanVis Limited), who
It is not contributed, for the provision of FR services. “Our commitment against
with ScanVis includes the requirement to implement appropriate security measures
to protect the personal data processed by the service provider and conforms
to article 28 of the GDPR.”
SCAN VIS is based in Hong Kong, however the MWC FR data is hosted
two by Amazon Web Services (“AWS”) in Germany. How SCAN VIS is located
in an unsuitable country outside the EU, the GSMA has entered into contractual clauses
standard with SCAN VIS.
Also, as an added safeguard, biometric data is encrypted and only the al-
Gorithm itself can understand what it means.
The GSMA does not transfer personal data to Belarus or Russia, as disputed by the inter-
resada.
Appointment of an EU representative
“GSMA EVENT PROJECT MANAGEMENT, S.L. (EPM) is a Spanish subsidiary of
GSMA. EPM has been created specifically to provide services related to the
management of the MWC in Barcelona. Personal data processing activities
of the GSMA are inextricably linked to the activities of EPM.
Therefore, the GSMA processes personal data in the context of the activities of a
establishment of the EU and is subject to the GDPR pursuant to Article 3(1)
of the GDPR, so no EU representative is required in accordance with
compliance with article 27 of the GDPR.”
It does not provide the NIF of this entity, address or any identifying information.
FOURTH: In the Mercantile Registry (RM), a search is carried out under GSMA and it only appears
registered entity GSMA 4YFN EVENT MANAGEMENT S.L, CIF B67299297,
address Av. de la Reina Maria Cristina S/N Hall 1, Barcelona, corporate purpose
“Provision of conference and event services. Event organization
business, social, cultural, recreational or technological, including commissioning
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March of trade fairs, etc." In the query to the AXESOR application, figure
as the sole partner of GSMA LIMITED. GSMA LIMITED is listed in the app
AXESOR as a non-resident entity, NIF N4004237F.
On the web https://www.dnb.com/business-directory/company-profiles.gsma_ltd.9e65a-
aadc5cdd92b48292ac68a42aff7.html, it shows that GSMA LIMITED has 105 employees
and $37.12 million of revenue.
FIFTH: On 09/21/2021, by application of article 65.5 of the LOPDGDD,
The claim process continues.
SIXTH: On 06/9/2022, the Director of the AEPD agreed:
"START SANCTION PROCEDURE against GSMA LTD., with NIF N4004237F, for
the alleged infringement of article 35 of the GDPR, typified in article 83.4.a) of the
GDPR and article 73.t) of the LOPDGDD”
"For the purposes specified in the art. 64.2 b) of Law 39/2015, of 1/10, on Procedure
Common Administrative Law of Public Administrations, the sanction that could
correspond would be a fine of 200,000 euros, as specified, without prejudice to
whatever results from the instruction.”
SEVENTH: On 06/27/2022, the defendant indicates:
1) In its letter to the AEPD dated 09/10/2021, the GSMA provided detailed answers
to the questions of the AEPD. The GSMA did not interpret the question regarding the
Data Protection Impact Assessments ("DIAs") referred to the fact that
the AEPD was requesting the contribution of a copy of said EIPD, but was asking
confirmation that a DPIA had been carried out. According to this interpretation,
The GSMA confirmed that it had carried out an DPIA for the use of
facial recognition ("RF") and that the document was being updated for the
MWC22.
They reiterate that the claimant did not register in the mode of use of "RF" technology, "due to
Therefore, we do not consider that RF's EIPD was relevant for the purposes of this
specific claim and it was interpreted that way”.
2) They provide a copy of the EIPD of 01/12/2020 made using the “One Trust” system
"already existing when requested" and another that replaces it, updating it for the
MWC22. "The defendant did not ignore the need to mitigate the risks derived from the use
of RF technologies for the 2021 event”, “which took into account the
information and evaluation of the aforementioned EIPD 2020" and "the need to minimize the
risk of spread of COVID-19”, and took the following practical measures:
a) “the optionality of biometric data processing and the measures to
ensure that the manual identity verification option (without the use of
RF) was not to the detriment of the user;
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b) “the provision of information related to the processing of biometric data in
layers and in a user-friendly way;”
c) “the implementation of robust physical and technical security measures to stop
protect biometric data;”
d) “the imposition of robust security measures on ScanVis, the provider of
RF technologies, including safety assessments by the GSMA; and
e) “the deletion of the biometric information shortly, after the completion of the
event."
2) The impact assessment report, DATA PROTECTION IMPACT ASSESSMENT
(DPIA in English, EIPD in Spanish), of 01/12/2020, has the following characteristics:
-created on 12/17/2019, submission date 01/12/2020, name “MWC 20 process of
facial recognition”, in English.
-Divides issues to be assessed, answering yes or no, and an explanation where appropriate.
It has 9 parts. The first: general part broken down into 9 questions, the second:
identification of the parts that are part of the treatment and has 3 questions, the
third: legality and transparency with 11 questions, the fourth: rights of
stakeholders and accuracy, with 12 questions, the fifth: limitation of the purpose with
four questions, the sixth: data minimization, with 5 questions, the seventh:
storage limitation, with 5 questions, the eighth: integrity and
confidentiality, with 11 questions and the ninth: additional information. The results
that appear are 0 in all kinds of risks, residual risk, none. it has to
mean:
a) In the first section: "general", it is indicated that "it is a new version of the process
facial recognition system updated for 2020" (in which events are mentioned
dated in Congress in 2020, none in 2021), and that BREEZ is the term
customer-oriented for our facial recognition process.” It is a review of
2019 project, which includes its changes since then, referring to:
-Development of a widget (device, application) of registration completely
new you.
- The main promoted method of capturing photos is through a
selfie to ensure that the captured photo is recent. Users can still
upload a photo if necessary.
- Selfie capture includes real-time guidance and feedback for
ensure that the face is in the correct position and is accepted by the FR algorithm.
There are specific error messages to guide the user in case of BREEZ photo
captured/provided being rejected.
- The enrollment widget also includes a verification check
of FR in real time to make sure that the person who registers can be re-
known to the system. The user can skip this step if necessary.
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- BREEZ inscription promoted from within the photo upload process of
profile.
- Integration of a new widget that allows attendees to scan their
Passport/EU ID; this will extract the data from the machine readable zone (MRZ),
as well as the photograph in the identification.
- The captured photo of the passport/EU ID is compared with the captured photo-
given during BREEZ registration to determine probability.
- Inclusion of the concept of Secured Attendee Profile (SAP) which means
that through the automation process the wizard has:
a) provided your passport/EU ID details
b) has enrolled in the BREEZ FR program
c) the EU ID/Passport photo matches the photo provided for
BREEZ.
It indicates that in carrying out the DPIA its "team for the Protection of
data", together with the mention of article 35.2 of the RGPD that indicates the participation of the
Data Protection Officer.
The purpose of this process is to streamline manual processes at the site in the mo-
collection of credentials and provide an efficient service. (1.7 purpose of
the proposed processing operations.)
b) In the legality and transparency section, (3.1) it is indicated that the consent that
is the basis of treatment, it is requested freely, informed, specific and without
biguity, keeping the accreditation of consent. (3.3).
method for attendees to access MWC/4YFN.
a) in question 4.3, when the personal data is transferred to a third country
or to an international organization, the interested party will have the right to be informed
aware of the adequate safeguards provided by the person in charge or in charge
gado? and it indicates yes.
b) indicates in question 4.4 that: "all the biometric data collected for the
purposes of this project will be deleted as the end date of 03/26/2020” (not
However, the Congress of the year 2021 is being analyzed). The rest of the data in
In accordance with the data retention periods of 5 years will be stored, to
unless there is a request for its deletion.”
c) In question 5.1 "limitation of the purpose" of the answer given, it is indicated
that: "those attending the Mobile World Congress have the opportunity to sign up
to the FR program until 02/27/2020”.
e) In question 5.2, how would you assess the need for treatment operations?
proposals?, the answer is average, and the justification: "In order to satisfy the
security measures in the event, we have been instructed by the form of the
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Spanish Police to put strict processes in place to ensure that all
attendees are screened through a passport/document check
EU identity cards before they can
- collect your badge-credential
- every time they enter the premises.
The above processes rely on manual verifications which can be slow and
provide a negative experience at the event.
Through the use of technology described in this DPIA, we may automate them to
allow much more use
efficient, as well as a more precise and safe event.”
f) In question 5.3, it is indicated: "if the proposed treatment operations are
proportional to its purpose?", Article 35.7 B is included in its wording, and the
answer is yes, indicating in justification that "to satisfy the requirements it is
necessary to create biometric tokens based on the photographs”.
g) In section 6, the number of subjects in the answer puts, high, more than 1000, and
that the information is collected in electronic format, online (6.3).
h) In section 7.4, it is indicated that the data storage period is
up to 5 years except biometrics.
i) In section 8 of integrity and confidentiality it is indicated that the data is
stored in third parties being the format in text and images, and that the
biometric token is encrypted, backup copies are made of the data that is
created and maintained, and there is a trace of access to the data, including the
encrypted data-
2) The DPIA report document is also provided, "updated to 06/27/2022",
“reasons for upgrade: refers to the previous one of the “one trust” system, using
now a different format that includes more information.
Part A-information on the projected treatment, is structured in 14 parts:
First, it answers the questions of purpose and how the system works.
To process biometric data obtained from the use of FR-recognition technology
facial- during the registration process for the event before attendance and during the
access control. “The main reason to use FR is to ensure that the GSMA needs
a high degree of security together with contactless access and fast track access to the
event to minimize the risks of spreading COVID 19. The technology will use the
measurement of face points (distance between eyes or from forehead to chin) for
verify the identity of the person through a biometric model. They are treated a
number of data points to create a map of the person's face in time
real. This is converted to a secure template model, using a complex algorithm
to create the “biometric token”. “For security purposes in access to the headquarters,
GSMA will automatically check the image taken at the access point against the
“biometric token”, stored in its database. are included in the treatment
third parties, SCAN VIS, the provider of the FR technology. The data
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Biometrics are obtained before the event, during registration. Provide in annex i a
diagram detailing the data collection process in which it appears that "For the
registration uses the JEMEX REG SYSTEM software that allows third-party integration
parts in addition to uploading documents, as in this case, "the user has to upload the
passport" and the software a portrait photo, checking whether the image
It is readable by the system.
Biometric data is stored in the European Union on servers of
Amazon in Germany and Spain
The second issue is the data of individuals that is collected at the level of
categories number of individuals and geographic area.
The third question is the type of data that includes the question of why they are requested,
indicating that the passport and biometric data have the purpose of "confirming the
identity and to be able to enter the event”. Being the source of origin “the same people”.
-If special data is processed, indicating yes, in biometric data "ID
verification and access control”
5-"service providers": refers to SCANVIS that manages the FR service, that
provides a web application “included in the data exporter registration system and
Using this dieget data importer will help a data exporter to collect a quality verified phase
phto/profile photo through the widget . ScanVis is located in Hong Kong, some
of its employees are located in China, but are subject to the policies of
ScanVis, including the security policy on data protection.
"ScanVis has contracted Amazon servers to store the data
biometrics that it deals with when it provides services to the respondent. amazon act
as a sub manager. ScanVis access to Amazon servers is remote
and sporadic, only when there is a technical matter.
ScanVis can gain access when there is a technical issue with the biometric tokens.
6- "other disclosures to third parties" It is indicated that each year prior to the
celebration of the MWC, the Mossos d`Esquadra, send a letter requesting the
requested to provide information regarding attendees: first name, last name and
Passport number of attendees. Biometric data is not shared with
the Mossos d'Esquadra. The request is carried out under a security plan the plan
security director of the Mobile World Congress, to which they do not have access.
The seventh the information that will be provided to people
The eighth individual rights and options
The ninth, marketing communications
The tenth ,automatic data collection
The 11th retention period
The 12, destruction
13, security
the 14th, others
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The second part refers to the risk assessment methodology, divided into
part b 1 "Methodology" which starts from the fact that "once the risk has been identified, it is
essential to qualify the probability of it happening-probability- as well as the level of
impact that its materialization entails-severity. “”This quantification depends on the
description of the treatment, the circumstances and the means in which it is carried out”.
Attach some probability/severity color boxes, with the values very low,
low, medium, high and very high
Part b.2, “two” “requirements to carry out a DPIA”, is divided into:
Obligation to file a DPIA
Assessment of the need, suitability and proportionality of the treatment
Part b 3 "risk assessment" has a table that indicates: "probability-
identify the probability of the materialization of the identified risk, considering the
treatment and the measures taken for the design and the defect", stating in all
they low, or very low, in "severity" some sections have "high", the "risk
resulting from combining probability and severity”, consists of medium and low and the last one, of:
“Identify how the risk can be mitigated”, stating that it is not necessary or that
is mitigated. It is subdivided into 23 sections -not all of them are cited-, highlighting:
1-Responsibility for compliance.
2-Roles in treatment
3-DPO and representatives
4-Legality
5-Information notices
6. Legitimizing bases
7-Limitation of purpose
8-Data quality and minimization
9-Data retention
10 Rights of people
11- Automatic decision making and profiles
12- no content
13-Security
14- Data export
15-Compliance with the policy
20 privacy by design and default
It ends with a table in one column "type of recommendation", in the other,
"recommendations".
In type: "Legal recommendations", review of the DPIA in an annual scheme
considering that legal teams monitor withdrawals of consent,
their levels, and the number of complaints and suggestions that could mean that there has not been
understood the language of consent, these are currently very low. Review
also the Privacy Policy and the FAQS on data processing
biometric,
“Organizational recommendations”: include policy implementation,
training, and audit measures, In recommendations: to audit the
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rights in the ScanVis contract and verify compliance with the contract, e.g.
example contemplating the provision of confirmation of data erasure in writing
at the end of the contract, and carry out verification or monitoring of employees
with the current Data Protection policies
“Product Recommendations”, defined as those that require implementation
technique, anonymization measures, menu settings, contextual notes,
figure without recommendations, and
“other recommendations”, that are not included in the previous ones, nothing appears.
EIGHTH: On 12/20/2022, a resolution proposal was formulated, with the literal:
"That the Director of the Spanish Agency for Data Protection sanctions
GSMA LIMITED, with NIF CIF N4004237F for a violation of article 35 of the
GDPR, in accordance with article 83.4 a) of the GDPR, and for prescription purposes
in article 73.t) of the LOPDGDD, with a fine of 200,000 euros.”
NINTH: On 01/10/2023, there was a written entry of allegations in which it indicates:
1) Mention Directives 4/2022 of the European Committee for Data Protection, CEPD
“European Data Protection Board (EDPB), “on the calculation of administrative sanctions
Treatments”, which are displayed on the web https://edpb.europa.eu/our-work-tools/our-
documents/publication-type/guidelines_es, in "public consultation period", from
05/16/2022 to 06/27/2022, without having been adopted yet. It states that in
they analyze in detail each of the circumstances of article 83.2 of the
GDPR.
Indicates that the proposal does not consider any mitigation, and asks to review and moderate the
applicability of aggravating circumstances.
2) It requests that they be considered as mitigating factors, in order to reduce the amount of the penalty.
tion:
2.1 "Article 76.2.a) of the LOPDGDD establishes as a circumstance to assess
the continuing nature of the offence. In the present case, the data processing obtained
subject of the impact evaluation had a very limited duration in time: specifically
It began on 03/22/2021, the date on which the registration to the MWC Barcelo-
na 2021 (“Event”) where you could opt for facial recognition (“RF”) and ceased
four weeks after the end of the Event (on 07/29/2021), at which time the
deleted all biometric data collected. In total, the data processing
It lasted approximately four months. We consider that it is
a short duration and that this fact should be taken into account as mitigating the in-
fraction."
2.2. "Article 76.2.f) of the LOPDGDD establishes as a circumstance to assess
affecting the rights of minors. The professional and netwo-
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rking of the Event means that it is addressed to adults related to the field of
the technology. These people have -predictably- technological knowledge for
above the average citizen, and they are specially trained to decide for themselves
themselves if they wish to choose the RF option as the registration method for the Event. In
very rare occasions (for example, when an assistant cannot get someone to
someone stays in the care of your child) data of minors is managed. The
Minors are registered following a separate process, as escorts.
tes, and are excluded from the registration system by RF. We can confirm that it is not
has used RF with any minors. “
23. "Article 83.2.e) RGPD establishes as a circumstance to assess any in-
previous fraction committed by the person in charge or in charge of the treatment. I gave them-
guidelines 04/2022 consider that the existence of previous infractions should be assessed,
paying special attention to the temporality and the matter of these. Since 2006 when
GSMA held the Event for the first time in Barcelona, none have been registered
violation of data protection regulations sanctioned by the AEPD. Considers-
We note that the fact that it is a first infringement is especially relevant.
taking into account that the GSMA has been organizing large-scale events for 16 years
dimensions in Spain and that, up to now, no misconduct has ever been committed.
fraction, which demonstrates the commitment and involvement of the GSMA in relation to the
compliance with the regulations on the protection of personal data”
2.4. "Article 83.2.e) GDPR establishes as a circumstance to assess the degree
cooperation with the supervisory authority in order to remedy the infringement and
mitigate the possible adverse effects of the infringement. The GSMA is clearly committed
mind for transparency and collaboration with public administrations, in
In this specific case, GSMA has been at the disposal of the AEPD and has responded to the
information requirements in the best possible way, facilitating documents and
information relevant to the case. In addition, in this sense, and without there being
been required by the AEPD, information has been provided on the new evaluation of
impact carried out with the intention of complying with the regulations and correcting non-compliance
lie in future events”.
3. "About the aggravating circumstances of articles 83.2.a) and 83.2.b) GDPR that apply in the
resolution proposal, we request that they be reviewed and their applicability assessed in the
specific case taking into account the following arguments:
3.1. The resolution proposal considers, regarding the aggravating circumstance of article
83.2.a) GDPR, that "the data of a very high number of attendees was processed
(20,000 people), without considering the level of high risk, in relation to the affectation
to their rights and freedoms, which may exist for treatments based on
face recognition”. On this aspect it corresponds to indicate that the RF was offered
as an optional registration measure and that, according to the information provided
According to our registration systems, the RF was only used by 7,585 people.
We request that this number be taken into account for the valuation of the amount of the
sanction. It also corresponds to indicate that there has been no record, not even during the
time that the treatment was carried out, nor after the damage occurred
or damages or any affectation to the rights and freedoms of the interested parties.
3.2. The resolution proposal considers, regarding the aggravating circumstance of article
83.2.b) GDPR, that there is no evidence that the entity has acted
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intentionally, although the action reveals a serious lack of diligence in his conduct
in adopting precise proactive measures in such a unique regime,
differentiated and special data applicable to the type of data processed, without it being stated that
They have put the basic means so that it did not occur. The performance to which
the resolution proposal refers to is the breach of article 35 itself
of the GDPR. No additional circumstances are described or listed that may
valued to justify the applicability of this aggravating circumstance. In this regard, the GSMA has
submitted information that demonstrates diligence in the treatment performed, the
application of robust security measures imposed on service providers
RF services and the existence of adequate contracts with all of them. In this
sense, we do not agree that there is negligence in the infringement and
we consider that the violation of article 35 of the GDPR, by itself, cannot
entail the applicability of the aggravating factor of negligence.
4-Ends by indicating that: "requests that the AEPD reconsider the proposal for
resolution and proceed to warn or reduce the amount of the
sanction".
NINTH: Of the actions carried out in this procedure and of the
documentation in the file, the following have been accredited:
PROVEN FACTS
1) In the terms and conditions of attendance for the MOBILE WORLD CONGRESS
(MWC) of Barcelona 2021, it appears that GSMA Ltd. ('GSMA') is the entity
organizer of the MOBILE WORLD CONGRESS (MWC) of Barcelona 2021, to
celebrate between 06/28 and 07/1/2021, and performs, among others, data processing of
the assistants. The website www.mwcbarcelona.com/legal contains information on the
Barcelona 2022 Congress, indicates that "GSMA LTD with its main place of
business located in Atlanta, USA, wholly owned subsidiary of the association
GSM, and with respect to 4yfn 2022, GSMA 4fyn EVENT MANAGEMENT S.L., a
subsidiary of GSMA LTD., welcomes you to MWC BARCELONA 2022.”, and that
“GSMA LTD and its affiliates provide you with the event…” According to information from
internet, GSMA (Global System for Mobile Communications, “Global System for
Mobile Communications), is an organization of the mobile industry that brings together
operators from all over the world, more than 750 mobile phone operators and more than 400
Companies are associated as members.
According to the defendant: GSMA EVENT PROJECT MANAGEMENT, S.L. (EPM)
is a Spanish subsidiary of GSMA. EPM has been created specifically to provide ser-
vices related to the management of the MWC in Barcelona. The trafficking activities
GSMA personal data processing are inextricably linked to the activities
EPM lives.
Therefore, the GSMA processes personal data in the context of the activities of a
establishment of the EU and is subject to the GDPR pursuant to Article 3(1)
of the GDPR, so no EU representative is required in accordance with
compliance with article 27 of the GDPR.”
The aforementioned entity is not registered in the Commercial Registry, if it does include: GSMC
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EVENT PROJECT MANAGEMENT, S.L., Cif B64828973 and as a corporate purpose: "the
provision of project management services, and support services in relation to
with the conferences, congresses, shows and meetings organized by any
of the companies belonging to the group of the companies belonging to the group”
On the other hand, the entity GSMA 4YFN EVENT MANAGEMENT S.L, CIF B67299297,
address Av. de la Reina Maria Cristina S/N Hall 1, Barcelona, has a corporate purpose
“Provision of conference and event services. organization of company events
commercial, social, cultural, recreational or technological, including start-up of
trade fairs, etc." In the query to the AXESOR application, it appears as a partner
sole GSMA LIMITED. GSMA LIMITED appears in the AXESOR application as en-
non-resident entity, NIF N4004237F
2) In the terms and conditions of assistance, the registration process that
would allow face-to-face access for those attending the event for that 2021, it has been
to create an account on your website, and register for support, so that when
Arriving at the physical headquarters, you should already be registered. At headquarters there would be no areas of
registration support and paper credentials would not be provided. The system intended
have verification of identity collected prior to each person's arrival at
headquarters. For the year 2021, the MWC provided as mandatory in the modality of
face-to-face attendance at your headquarters, the registration of the DNI/passport, identity card,
uploading it to your website. Only it was not required to upload the identity documents to the
who opted for the “virtual” modality. These requirements are contemplated in Clause
of "general terms and conditions for attendance" MWC 2021, Barcelona" in the
that attendees have to accept these conditions.
In the terms and conditions of assistance, it is provided "Identification: You agree to arrive
var a photo identification issued by your government in the form of a passport or card
EU national ID card with you at all times during the Event. HE
You will be asked to present such identification. You are solely responsible for the accuracy
of all personal data provided when registering for the Event…”
In addition, data such as "name, position, name,
company name, work address, work email, job functions, phone number
telephone, area of interest and photograph. If you are a speaker, as additional information,
your professional profile
3) The defendant indicated to the claimant that the passport and identification data
are required and are demanded by the Mossos d`Esquadra, that the legitimizing basis for
the treatment of uploading passports and identity cards is article 6.1
c) of the GDPR inasmuch as they were required to provide certain information to the
Mossos: name surname nationality date of birth identity document
provided date of issue and document number, this being the way of
provide it novel, for being electronic and "that has changed by 2021, due to
that businesses need a contactless environment.” The defendant does not prove this
requirement or that it should be through a website, of its own private ownership,
where they are collected and stored. The defendant pointed out that in previous editions
of the Congress, the assistants carried their identification cards in a credential.
4) In general terms and conditions for attendees it is indicated in privacy and
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Data Protection that data is collected “about you in connection with the provision of the
services and for account management" and that more details about the privacy policy
practice on the processing of personal data is available in Privacy Policy-
city. The Privacy Policy indicates that information about the data is obtained
collected from various groups, among others, attendees, through the system of
registration of attendees, the event app, digital and/or printed credential cards,
or the facial recognition scanning system (at access points, to se-
sessions or to participate in closed space meetings). It indicates: "information
that you voluntarily provide: “when… you create an account with us, you register
after the event, ...you require a service…””The information collected includes, but
It is not limited to: your name, title, company name, work address, email
job, job functions, phone number, area of interest, and photograph. If you're
a speaker, as additional information, your professional profile”
5) The defendant explains that after taking the aforementioned identity documents,
there is the possibility when you register on the web, for face-to-face access, of two
modes, and one more residual:
a) Automatic verification recognition, also called verification validation
automatic identity: Together with the identity documents already uploaded, the automatic identity
The website of the defendant requests the express consent to use BREEZ (acronym for
easy entry with biometric recognition) using facial recognition
biometric . In this modality you can enroll both during registration and
after registering for the event. The BREEZ system assumes that the
SCANVIS software -responsible for processing the claimant- takes a photo of
the person automatically matches the image “provided to us with the
photograph in their passport/national identity card”, “to whom it will attribute some
matching scores”, “the technology analyzes facial features, taking
measurements of the data points that make up the face, such as distance between eyes, or
from forehead to chin, a series of data points are processed to create a
map of your face in real time, this is converted into a data pattern using a
algorithm to create what the defendant calls a "biometric token" (biometric file,
identifier). This token is what makes it possible for your captured image to be accessed
by the FR reader matches and the event is accessed in its own differentiated queues,
for sessions or to participate in meetings in closed spaces or even areas
restricted.
In the non-contact accesses with BREEZ, it is indicated that "it will verify your image
captured by cameras against your biometric token for validation purposes
of identification”.
The consent information in BREEZ states that “You consent to
GSMA using your biometric data obtained from photographs provided by
you for identification validation purposes in the context of online registration
and for the MWC Barcelona for the purpose of accessing the venue”, preceded by a
chair that indicates "Yes, I consent to the use of my biometric data for self-validation
identity mathematics”.
It bases the purpose in a double sense, to verify the identity when attending the
event, and security in the access to the enclosure. The legal basis of this treatment according to
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indicate it would be express consent, being able to withdraw their consent with what
its validation would become manual.
Information on the BREEZZ system is expanded in the BREEZ FAQS -FR section
The consent granted for the automatic validation of the identity can be
withdraw at any time
a) Acknowledgment of manual verification, or manual validation of identity: Together
to the identity documents already uploaded, the web program of the claimed
Take a photo of the attendee. It implies that access will occur with
control through human presence, which performs the verification when the assistant
when approaching, he scans his digital credential in the form of a QR reading, showing the
photo taken that sees the human presence at the same time as the person.
b) Exceptionally, validation of identification on paper, face-to-face on site
2) The one called by the defendant: "biometric token" created for the process of
image comparison will be removed four (4) weeks after completion
of the event. Check the section How is my biometric data used and stored?
that each biometric token is encrypted and stored in a separate database from the
raw data used in its creation
However, in the BREEZ FAQS it is indicated that although it has no contact,
all attendees must have their digital credential available to enter the
external perimeter of the place and that the digital credential will also be the only way to
access conferences and their partner sessions.
3) According to the defendant, the SCANVIS entity with which it has an assignment
treatment of the facial recognition system for access to the headquarters,
located in a country outside the EU, and the GSMA has entered into contractual clauses
standard with SCANVIS. It adds that the MWC FR data is hosted by Amazon
Web Services (“AWS”) in Germany.
4) The defendant stated that at MWC 2019, she allowed paper copies of
identification documents will be manually verified when accessing the headquarters of
MWC, an option that in 2021 was suppressed -with some exceptions- for reasons of health and
security, in order to minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19,
reducing queues and crowds at access points. This is in line
with the "action plan for congresses of the Generalitat of Catalonia" to which it is subject to
the GSMA and that expressly requires the replacement of manual processes by processes
digital.
5) According to the claim to MWC 2021, approximately 20,000 people attended.
10) Before the 2021 MWC, the defendant had a document of
IMPACT ASSESSMENT that is provided in allegations, entitled: "MWC20
Facial recognition process”, created on 12/17/2019. It has nine sections with
answer yes/no, related to the principles of data protection, appearing zero
in all kinds of risks, residual risk, none. In several issues he reproduces the
GDPR article, and the answer: Yes (example 4.5, 4.4, 4.6 among others) In the first
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section: "general", it is indicated that "it is a new version of the
updated facial recognition for 2020” (in which events dated
in Congress in 2020, none in 2021), and that the “term BREEZ is the term
customer-oriented for our facial recognition process.” It is a review of
2019 project, which includes its changes since then, referring to the
BREEZ performance. In the section How would you assess the importance of
need for treatment operations? (5.2) does not indicate the activity of
treatment of facial recognition, indicating: "In order to satisfy the measures
security at the event, we have been instructed by the Police Form
Española to put strict processes in place to ensure that all
attendees are screened through a passport/ID check
EU identity card before they can enter the venue, and collect their
credentials. Legacy processes are based on manual checks that
they can be slow and provide a negative experience at the event. Through the use of
the technology described in this DPIA, we may automate them to enable a more
much more efficient process, as well as a more accurate and secure event.”
In section 5.3 on the proportionality of processing operations, only
indicates that yes, "to satisfy the requirements, it is necessary to create tokens
photo-based biometrics. The document lacks an evaluation of the
necessity and proportionality of processing operations with respect to their
purpose; the use of facial recognition for access to events, of your
assessment of risks to the rights and freedoms of the data subjects to which
referred to in section 1 of article 35 of the GDPR and of the measures planned to deal with
risks, including guarantees, security measures and mechanisms that guarantee
the protection of personal data, and to demonstrate compliance with the GDPR,
taking into account the rights and legitimate interests of the data subjects and other
affected people. Likewise, it relates the data of the passports and cards of
identity that he manifests are required by the Mossos d`Esquadra that allegedly
have a purpose, to connect it with the photo that is taken with the software, that
initiates the facial recognition process, matching your identity to facilitate the
access.
FUNDAMENTALS OF LAW
Yo
In accordance with the powers that article 58.2 of Regulation (EU) 2016/679
(General Data Protection Regulation, hereinafter GDPR), grants each
control authority and as established in articles 47, 48.1, 64.2 and 68.1 of the
Organic Law 3/2018, of December 5, Protection of Personal Data and
guarantee of digital rights (hereinafter, LOPDGDD), is competent to
initiate and resolve this procedure the Director of the Spanish Protection Agency
of data.
Likewise, article 63.2 of the LOPDGDD determines that: "The procedures
processed by the Spanish Data Protection Agency will be governed by the provisions
in Regulation (EU) 2016/679, in this organic law, by the provisions
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regulations dictated in its development and, insofar as they do not contradict them, with character
subsidiary, by the general rules on administrative procedures."
II
According to the terms in which the claim is formulated, it is always mandatory
Before going to the Congress, its headquarters and its events, register at the
website of the claimed party, so when you arrive you must already be registered. It
It is carried out with the creation of an account and the registration on the web of the claimed party.
It is mandatory in general, when the registration on the web is attended in person with
the introduction on said website, in the form of uploading the document (ID card, or passport,
for security reasons required according to that claimed by the Mossos d`Esquadra, and
a photo for identification purposes at the accesses of the event, documents of
identification, which the previous year were presented or exhibited, this 2021 they will be uploaded to the
web and are made on the web.
Values the claimed that the uploading to its website of said identity documentation (DNI and
or passport identification document) is required by the Mossos d`Esquadra,
included in article 11.1.h) of Law 2/1986, of 13/03, on Security Forces and Corps
Security, which would indicate:
"1. The State Security Forces and Bodies have the mission of protecting the
exercise of rights and freedoms and guarantee citizen security through
the performance of the following functions.
[…]”
a) Capture, receive and analyze any data of interest for order and security.
public ity, and study, plan and execute the methods and techniques of prevention of
crime”
This requirement in data processing has not been specifically analyzed in this
procedure, but if it is indicated by the defendant that for this 2021, this process has
changed, “being provided electronically”, “by the contactless environment”. Seems
It may be that in other years these documents were shown when accessing the premises, limiting
partly the intrusion that the processing of these data supposes to their owners the
have to upload them to a website owned by the claimed. In 2021 it was mandatory, not pa-
considering that, for convenience, data can be collected that could be excessive,
when before there was room for a mere exhibition of the document, especially in the case of documents
official identification documents, which, as well instructed, also "must carry
people at all times
Nor is it clear how it transfers the identifying data it collects from each
assistant the one claimed to the Mossos d`Esquadra, if he delivers the identification document
that attendees upload the claimant's website and the photo, or only give the data that
precise, which would oblige her to extract them one by one by people dedicated to it.
When trying to promote non-contact due to the pandemic, instead of displaying the document,
the defendant keeps a copy of it.
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In any case, the defendant should reassess whether she has legitimacy for this
treatment activity.
In addition, the Congress attendee is given a credential or digital card that
contains your data. The assistant in virtual mode, not face-to-face, was not required to
previous identification in the form of providing ID, identification document or passport.
The common modality of registration in terms of access is manual validation, which
Based on the upload of the aforementioned documents, and the photo, recognition does not apply
facial. The person who attends the event accesses carrying his credential that he carries and
sample and scanning it, an employee verifies that the accessing person matches
that of the photograph and the documents that it bears in the credentials
Another method of registering and accessing involves entering the same data, but
giving consent, marking a box for it, which would associate the same
documents for an easy entry mode, through recognition
facial biometric. This identification is produced, not only by introducing the document
public identification of the person on the web as a way of identifying themselves, which in
if it is not biometric data, but based on a photo taken by the software, which
compare with the photo of the identity document-passport, and after taking
perform a specific technical treatment: transformation by means of an algorithm on
points of the face, converting them into a template, or biometric token, as
name the claimant.
In this way, with the passport, or DNI, as mandatory, with no alternative, plus the
facial recognition, we proceed in a bivalent way to an identification with double
joint factor, using facial recognition for contactless access and
more agile to installation. It ensures that it is that person by the uploaded documents
to the web and by the biometric template that manages the same web of the one claimed to
through a treatment manager.
On the other hand, in treatments without facial recognition, it is also saving
the photo, which is unknown if it is also managed by SCANVIS in its program that
is on the claim website, and if any pairing is made with the
passport/DNI in order to verify coincidence thresholds to deduct the
identification of the assistant who enters manual mode carrying his credential.
The claimant seems to encompass any physical access as linked to the data
Biometrics and their use. However, despite stating that he did have to raise the
passport, does not certify the use of biometric data, and the defendant asserts that it does not
used this modality, noting that "he registered as a virtual assistant and took part
as a speaker at a roundtable" and "was not required to download or upload document
of identity".
II
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The scope of application of the GDPR extends its protection, as established in its
Article 1.2, to the fundamental rights and freedoms of natural persons and, in
In particular, your right to the protection of personal data, defined in its article
4.1 as “any information about an identified or identifiable natural person (“the
interested"); An identifiable natural person shall be considered any person whose identity
can be determined, directly or indirectly, in particular by means of an identifier,
such as a name, an identification number, location data, a
online identifier or one or more elements of physical identity,
physiological, genetic, psychological, economic, cultural or social of said person.”
The defendant has processed personal data, and specifically data
biometric. The concept of treatment The GDPR defines in its article 4:
"2) "processing": any operation or set of operations carried out on
personal data or sets of personal data, either by procedures
automated or not, such as the collection, registration, organization, structuring,
conservation, adaptation or modification, extraction, consultation, use,
communication by transmission, diffusion or any other form of authorization of
access, collation or interconnection, limitation, deletion or destruction;
7) "responsible for the treatment" or "responsible": the natural or legal person,
public authority, service or other body which, alone or jointly with others, determines the
purposes and means of processing; if the law of the Union or of the Member States
determines the purposes and means of processing, the controller or the
Specific criteria for their appointment may be established by Union law
or of the Member States;
Biometric data as specific types are defined by article 4.14 of the GDPR:
“personal data obtained from a specific technical treatment, related to
the physical, physiological or behavioral characteristics of a natural person who
allow or confirm the unique identification of said person, such as facial images
or dactyloscopic data;
The special categories of data referred to in article 9 of the GDPR establishes:
"1. The processing of personal data that reveals ethnic origin is prohibited
or race, political opinions, religious or philosophical convictions, or affiliation
union, and the processing of genetic data, biometric data aimed at identifying
unequivocally to a natural person, data relating to health or data relating to
sexual life or sexual orientation of a natural person.”
In this case, those who consented to the use of facial recognition were given a
photograph by the program on which the specific technical treatment is produced
which ends in the creation of the biometric template through the application of an algo-
rhythm.
Thus, the biometric information collected (for example, the image of a fingerprint
fingerprint) is processed following procedures defined in standards, and the result
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of that process is stored in data records called signatures, patterns, or
"templates". These patterns numerically record the physical characteristics that
allow to differentiate people, they are data of the person, not about him, they constitute a
form of reduced mathematical representation of the original feature. express
uniquely and compactly the identity of the individual. Raw data is not stored
cough but an extract of its characteristics.
The biometric pattern extracted by the registration module is stored in the database
recognition system data. The biometric pattern is stored for your
comparison. The database will therefore contain all the biometric patterns
of individuals who are legitimate users of the system. Also, depending on
application, said pattern could be stored on other supports, such as
For example, a magnetic card or a smart card (match-on-card and match-on-card techniques).
on-token). In these cases, the data is stored exclusively on the support
card, there being no centralized database.
The biometric data system, in the identification or verification process, does not seek
eventual equality between the sample and the stored data, but has as its
The objective is to find enough matching points to determine that there is a
coincidence, not equality. This is recognized by the defendant when indicating that the
photo taken with the passport photo, establishing a high match threshold
to continue the process in the creation of the template.
In the last phase of the process, a biometric sample will be compared -such as the face-
presented to the sensor with a pattern that appears in the database of the claimed.
The definition of biometric data includes that through technical processing
I specify, "allow or confirm" "the unique identification" of said person. The
Mentions to "allow" can be understood to the identification, that of "confirm" to the
check. Therefore, both identification or authentication must be unique,
referring to the identification that occurs of the person. The unique identification by
On the other hand, it goes beyond the fact that the data is from an identified natural person or
identifiable. Identified natural person data is that that person is distinguished or
isolates from a group of people. Unique, can refer to that biometric data
have such particularities that they can unambiguously identify an individual
In the present case, of course, it cannot be said that information is not being
linked to personal data of a person identified in each access to the headquarters in
face-to-face mode, even if the data is saved on the device encrypted/encrypted.
Every time an attendee stands in the vicinity of the entrance, in front of the specter that
reach the camera, allows or confirms your unique identification through the treatment
carried out by the claimant with the devices purchased and through technology
of software implanted. The submitted sample is compared and the system has the
identification function with a biometric function, uniquely identifying the
assistant who claims to be and registering your data.
Biometric data present the particularity of being produced by the user himself.
body and definitively characterize it, are data not about that person, but rather
data refer to the same person, in principle not modifiable by will of the
individual, nor the person can be released from them, they cannot be changed in case
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compromise-loss or system intrusion. Furthermore, because the data
biometrics are typical of a person and perpetual, the user uses the same
data in different systems. Therefore, identity theft is not only perpetual in
time, but affects all systems in which a user has stored
your biometric data. Therefore, the owner does not have the possibility of using data
biometric for the bank, and a different one for your health system, but uses the
same information to verify your identity in both, and against a vulnerability
they are all affected at the same time. Finally, the interested party does not know
that your information is being used, being able to obtain through objects,
traces or surveillance cameras.
Recitals 51 and 75 of the GDPR refer to spatial data, "a group of
personal data which, by their nature, are particularly sensitive due to the
significant risk that they may entail, in the context of their treatment, for the de-
fundamental rights and freedoms. The common denominator of all of them is that their
processing involves a significant risk to the fundamental rights and freedoms
mental since it can cause physical, material or imma-
terials. This group or category of particularly sensitive data includes the
categories of specially protected data regulated by article 9 of the GDPR -with-
recital 51 of the GDPR- and, in addition, many other data not regulated in that precept-
to. Recital 75 mentions in detail the personal data whose processing
may entail a risk, of varying severity and probability, to the rights and
freedoms of natural persons as a result of the fact that they can cause damage and
physical, material or immaterial damage. Among them he mentions those whose treatment
behavior "may give rise to problems of discrimination, identity theft or
fraud, financial loss, damage to reputation, loss of confidentiality of
data subject to professional secrecy, unauthorized reversal of pseudonymization or
any other significant economic or social harm;” (The underlining is ours)
Recital 51 of the GDPR refers to the systematic non-consideration as
a special category of data treatment, to the photographs, unless they are
apply a specific technical treatment means that "allows the identification or
univocal authentication of a physical person”.
They are named that way because their treatment involves situations in which
a serious risk of data protection arises, from the consequences that its use
may have for people, and they are considered so harmful that their treatment
behavior is prohibited unless an exception applies, in which case the behavior
express feeling.
In addition to the circumstance that lifts the ban on
treatment, one of the legitimate bases must concur so that the treatment of
data is lawful, which are defined in article 6.1 of the GDPR, and comply with the
principles that are expressed in article 5 of the GDPR, among which play an important
role the minimization and proportionality and need for treatment of these data.
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In this case, reference is made to the basis of consent to lift the ban on
treatment, also existing, according to the defendant, the option of not using the
RF system, without suffering access restrictions.
IV.
Article 7 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, proclaimed
given by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union and the Commission of
12/7/2000, prescribes that every person has the right to respect for their private life, and the
article 8.1 that everyone has the right to the protection of personal data
that concern you. Interpreted together, it is inferred that it can constitute a
violation of such rights any data processing by a third party,
in this case the one claimed. This use of the data of the people who attend the
event organized by it, under its conditions in which it establishes the means and the end
by which the data processing is carried out, supposes an intrusion of his right
to private life and data protection if it is not justified. Article 8.2 of
The Charter of Fundamental Rights specifies that personal data is only
They can be processed with the consent of the interested party or by virtue of another foundation.
legitimate element provided by law. In addition, articles 7 and 8 of the letter are not absolute.
admitting limitations, as long as they are provided for by Law, respect the content
essential nest of those rights and with observance of the principle of proportionality,
are necessary and respond effectively to objectives of recognized general interest
by the Union or the need to protect the rights and freedoms of others
(Judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union, fourth room, judgment of 15
October 2013, C/291/2012.). These aspects, moreover, are reiterated in relation to
tion with fundamental rights, in art. 52.1 in fine of the Charter of Rights
Fundamental rights of the EU
Facial recognition processing presents high risks to the rights and
fundamental freedoms and before implementing a data processing project,
as long as it is probable that it poses a significant risk to the
rights and freedoms of people, it is necessary to audit its operation, not
in isolation but within the framework of the specific treatment in which it will be used. Gives-
Given the potentially detrimental consequences for the people affected, de-
more stringent requirements will have to be met in the impact assessment process of
any measure that interferes with the dignity of a person, in terms of issues
tion of necessity and proportionality, as well as the possibilities of the
individuals to exercise their right to data protection
This is ruled in:
- Section 72 of Guidelines 3/2019 on the processing of personal data
through video devices, of January 29, 2020, of the CEPD, indicates: "The use of
biometric data and, in particular, facial recognition carry high risks
for the rights of the interested parties. It is essential that the use of such
technologies take place with due respect for the principles of legality, necessity,
proportionality and minimization of data as established by the GDPR. Although the
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use of these technologies can be perceived as particularly effective, the
Data controllers must first assess the impact on data controllers.
fundamental rights and freedoms and consider less intrusive means of achieving
its legitimate purpose of processing. “That is to say, it would be necessary to answer the question of whether this
biometric application is something that is really essential and necessary, or is it just
"convenient".
-Opinion 2/2017 on data processing at work, from GT 29, establishes
that "Regardless of the legal basis of said treatment, before its beginning
A proportionality test must be carried out in order to determine if the treat-
treatment is necessary to achieve a legitimate purpose, as well as the measures that must be
be adopted to guarantee that violations of the rights to private life and
secrecy of communications are limited to the minimum
Since in the 90s of the last century our Constitutional Court adopted the
called the "German test" in the examination of the principle of proportionality, is a
constant in its jurisprudence, that the measures that affect rights
essential, they must be suitable or adequate, necessary and proportionate in
Strict sense.
-The Working Group of article 29, GT29 (adopted on 06/08/2017) (created by virtue
of article 29 of Directive 95/46/EC, independent European advisory body on
matters of data protection and the right to privacy, whose duties are described
in article 30 of Directive 95/46/EC and in article 15 of Directive 2002/58/EC,
assumed today by the European Committee for Data Protection, CEPD), in its Dictation-
men 3/2012 on the evolution of biometric technologies, indicates that "When analyzing
the proportionality of a proposed biometric system, it is necessary to consider previously
mind if the system is necessary to respond to the identified need, that is,
if it is essential to meet that need, and not just the most suitable or cost-effective. A
The second factor that must be taken into account is the probability that the system will be
effective in responding to the need in question in light of the specific characteristics
details of the biometric technology to be used. A third aspect to consider
is whether the resulting loss of privacy is proportional to the expected benefits. Yeah
the benefit is relatively minor, such as increased comfort or slight savings,
then the loss of intimacy is not appropriate. The fourth aspect to evaluate the
adequacy of a biometric system is to consider whether a less invasive means of
intimacy would achieve the desired end”.
These assessments require exhaustiveness, starting in this case, not only from the
prohibition of treatment of these data, but considering the risks of using a
intrusive technology, biases or the likelihood of misidentification, its
interoperability, spoofing and unique identity type,
permanent and invariable that are treated, their impact on the privacy of people,
the fundamental rights implications of such systems and the
security measures, its increasingly widespread use, and technological interconnection is
more likely to interfere with these fundamental rights and may lead to
serious violation of rights.
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Data controllers must ensure that the assessment of the need and
proportionality consider a thorough assessment of alternative options
less intrusive available. Therefore, the feasibility of
other available alternative options that do not require the use of special data,
compare all options and document the conclusions. All this, considering
the context of the framework in which the treatment is traced, compliance with the
obligations through the record of working hours.
The necessity implies that a combined evaluation, based on facts, is required.
on the effectiveness of the measure for the objective pursued and on whether it is less
intrusive compared to other options to achieve the same goal
Need should not be confused with system utility. It may be easier to not
having to carry a card, is automatic and instantaneous and not excessively expensive.
Obviously, an RF system can be useful, but it doesn't have to be objectively
necessary (the latter being what should really be present). as it establishes
Opinion 3/2012 on the evolution of biometric technologies - of GT 29-,
must be examined "if it is essential to satisfy that need, and not just the most
suitable or profitable. Regarding the reliability of the system, it must be said that how much
the greater the number of identification systems that are based on biometric data
or in a template obtained from biometric data, the greater the risk that
This data may end up being used inappropriately and giving rise to a
risk of usurpation or identity theft.
The proactive responsibility system implemented by the GDPR, focused on the
continuous management of the potential risks associated with the treatment, imposes on the
data controllers who analyze what data they process, for what purposes and what
types of treatments carried out, relating the potential risks to which they are
exposed and from there, decide what measures to take and apply to ensure their
compliance based
of the risks detected and assumed.
The impact assessment on the protection of personal data, EIPD, is the
tool that in the GDPR deals with the guarantee of compliance with this
treatment aspect.
In the text of the GDPR there is no definition for the term "assessment of
impact on data protection" or EIPD. The CEPD does develop the definition
of EIPD in the WP248 Guidelines as: “…a process designed to describe the
treatment, assess its necessity and proportionality, and help manage risks
for the rights and freedoms of natural persons derived from the processing of data
personal coughs by evaluating them and determining measures to address them.” According to
For this, the CEPD considers that the EIPD is a "process" and, therefore:
• Reducing the EIPD to a specific and isolated activity in time is incompatible with the
process concept that interprets the WP248 Guidelines.
• The EIPD must be documented, but the EIPD is more than the report that reflects
Your results.
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• The EIPD must assess the risks “determining the measures to address them”. The
EIPD obliges the person in charge to act and has a greater dimension than a mere form-
isism embodied in a document on which minimal changes can be made
to adapt it to any treatment.
The EIPD is a process of analyzing a treatment that extends over time, over
throughout the entire life cycle of personal data processing, and that it has to be re-
continuously, “at least when there is a change in the risk that they represent
have treatment operations” (art.35.11 of the GDPR).
The defendant does not provide said document before the start of the procedure, and once
provided it is estimated that it does not meet the minimum requirements that it must contain , therefore
that he is charged with the infringement of article 35 of the GDPR, which states:
"1. When it is likely that a type of treatment, in particular if it uses new
technologies, by their nature, scope, context or purposes, entail a high risk for
the rights and freedoms of natural persons, the person responsible for the treatment carried out
An evaluation of the impact of the treatment operations will be carried out before the treatment.
compliance with the protection of personal data. A single evaluation may address a
series of similar processing operations involving similar high risks.
2. The person responsible for the treatment will seek the advice of the protection delegate.
data, if appointed, when conducting the impact assessment relating to the
Data Protection.
3. The impact assessment on data protection referred to in the
Paragraph 1 will be required in particular in case of:
a) systematic and exhaustive evaluation of personal aspects of natural persons
that is based on automated processing, such as profiling, and on
on the basis of which decisions are made that produce legal effects for natural persons
cases or that significantly affect them in a similar way;
b) large-scale processing of the special categories of data referred to
Article 9(1) or personal data relating to convictions and offenses
penalties referred to in article 10, or
c) large-scale systematic observation of a publicly accessible area.
4. The control authority will establish and publish a list of the types of operations
processing purposes that require a protection impact assessment
of data in accordance with paragraph 1. The supervisory authority shall communicate these
lists to the Committee referred to in article 68.
5. The control authority may also establish and publish the list of types
of treatment that do not require impact assessments related to the protection of
data. The supervisory authority will communicate these lists to the Committee.
6. Before adopting the lists referred to in paragraphs 4 and 5, the authority of
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competent control will apply the consistency mechanism referred to in article
63 if those lists include processing activities that are related to the offer
of goods or services to interested parties or with the observation of the behavior of these
in several Member States, or processing activities that may substantially affect
especially to the free movement of personal data in the Union.
7. The evaluation must include at least:
a) a systematic description of the planned processing operations and the
purposes of the treatment, including, where appropriate, the legitimate interest pursued by the
responsible for the treatment;
b) an assessment of the necessity and proportionality of the processing operations;
lie with respect to its purpose;
c) an assessment of the risks to the rights and freedoms of the data subjects
referred to in paragraph 1, and
d) the measures planned to deal with the risks, including guarantees, measures of
security and mechanisms that guarantee the protection of personal data, and
show compliance with this Regulation, taking into account the rights
and legitimate interests of the data subjects and other affected persons.
8. Compliance with the approved codes of conduct referred to in article
40 by the corresponding managers or managers will be duly taken into
into account when assessing the impact of processing operations carried out by
said controllers or processors, in particular for the purposes of impact assessment
regarding data protection.
9. When appropriate, the controller will seek the opinion of the interested parties or their
representatives in relation to the planned treatment, without prejudice to the protection of
public or commercial interests or the security of processing operations.
10. When the treatment in accordance with article 6, paragraph 1, letters c) or e),
has its legal basis in Union law or in the law of the Member State
that applies to the data controller, such law regulates the specific operation
treatment or set of operations in question, and a
data protection impact assessment as part of an assessment
of general impact in the context of the adoption of said legal basis, paragraphs
1 to 7 shall not apply unless the Member States deem it necessary
proceed to said evaluation prior to treatment activities.
11. If necessary, the controller will examine whether the processing is in accordance with the
impact assessment relating to data protection, at least where there is a
change in risk posed by processing operations.”
In development of paragraph 4, the Director of the AEPD approved a non-exhaustive list,
indicative of the types of treatment that require a relative impact assessment.
goes to data protection, indicating: "At the time of analyzing data processing,
data it will be necessary to carry out a DPIA in most cases in which said
Treatment meets two or more criteria from the list below, except
that the treatment is on the list of treatments that do not require EIPD to the
referred to in article 35.5 of the GDPR.
"4. Treatments that imply the use of special categories of data to which
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referred to in article 9.1 of the GDPR … or deduce information about the persons related to
comes up with special categories of data.
5. Processing that involves the use of biometric data for the purpose of identifying
charge uniquely to a natural person.”
In this case, it is the offer of services to those attending a Congress, established
creating an identification mechanism that enables contactless access based on
facial recognition with the taking of the template of your face that is managed in a pro-
computer program whose service is offered by a third party with which a
custom contract.
The obligation to carry out an impact assessment in this case is due to
that "uses new technologies, by their nature, scope, context or purposes, involves
a high risk for the rights and freedoms of natural persons”
In this case, the various risks that may arise must be analysed, including
its technology, within the framework of an increasingly intensive use of this type of data. His
use, interoperability and technological interconnection, is more than likely to interfere
with these fundamental rights and may give rise to questions about their
implantation.
The use of biometric data and, in particular, the RF entails greater risks for
the rights of the interested parties. It is essential that the use of these technologies be
done with due respect for the principles of legality, necessity, proportionality
and minimization of the data established in the GDPR. Although the use of these
technologies can be perceived as particularly effective, those responsible must, in
First, assess the impact on fundamental rights and freedoms and
consider less intrusive means to achieve your legitimate purpose of processing.
The “risk-based approach” is developed in the “Statement on the role of a
risk-based approach in data protection legal frameworks WP218” of GT 29, WP218, and
It is not a new concept in the framework of data protection.
Risk management for rights and liberties, aims to study the
impact and the probability of causing harm to people, at the individual or societal level,
as a result of the processing of personal data. On the contrary, management
of regulatory compliance risk is intended to provide the controller with a
tool to verify the degree of compliance with obligations and precepts
legally required in relation to a processing activity. Therefore,
prior to the risk management process and as a sine qua non condition for
undertake a processing activity, it is necessary to systematize the verification of
regulatory compliance throughout the entire treatment life cycle. The
complexity of the risk management process has to be adjusted, not to the size of the
entity, the availability of resources, its specialty or sector, but rather
possible impact of the processing activity on the interested parties and on the company itself
treatment difficulty.
As a potential source of risk, knowledge of the technologies that are intended to
use, as well as their associated risks, must be understood as an obligation
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of the controller and part of their duty of care in relation to compliance with the
GDPR provisions.
Biometric processing presents, among others, the following risks, some of which
which are contemplated in Opinion 3/2012 on the evolution of technologies
biometrics of GT 29 of 04/27/2012:
-The definition of the size (amount of information) of the biometric template is a
crucial question. On the one hand, the size of the template must be large enough
to manage security (avoiding overlaps between the different data
biometrics, or identity substitutions), and on the other, it should not be too large
in order to avoid the risks of reconstruction of biometric data
-Risks involved in the use of biometric data for identification purposes in
large centralized databases, given the potential consequences
harmful to the people affected.
-It goes without saying that any loss of the qualities of integrity, confidentiality
and availability with respect to the databases would clearly be detrimental to
any future application based on the information contained in said databases
data, and would also cause irreparable damage to the data subjects. For example, if the
registered data of an authorized person will be associated with the identity of a
unauthorized person, the latter could access the services available to the
owner of the data, without having the right to do so. The result would be identity theft,
that (regardless of its detection) would make the system unreliable for future
applications and, consequently, would limit their freedom.
-The transfer of information contained in the database.
-It can create the illusion that identification through the face is always
correct, for this reason an analysis of the errors that can occur in
its use, performance evaluation meters, false acceptance rate-
probability that a biometric system will incorrectly identify an individual or
do not reject an individual who does not belong to the group, and rate of false rejection or false
negative: the correspondence between a person and his own template is not established.
Faced with decisions that legally affect a person, any decision that
is adopted based on this, such as in registration and time control systems, the
deduction of fees for registration with the system, which should only be made
safeguarding the rights and freedoms and the legitimate interests of the data subject,
at least the right to obtain human intervention on the part of the controller, to
express their point of view and challenge the decision.
-Linking: A large number of online services allow users to upload a
image to link it to the user's profile. The RF can be used to link the
profiles of different online services (via profile picture), but also
between the online and offline world. It is not out of the question to take a
photograph of a person on the street and determine their identity in real time
looking at these public profile pictures. Third party services may also
track profile photos and other publicly available photos to create
large collections of images in order to associate a real world identity with
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such images. This impact increases with the increasing deployment of these
technologies. Each individual can appear in one or several biometric systems.
-Security measures must be adopted for data processing
biometrics (storage, transmission, extraction of characteristics and
comparison, etc.) and especially if the data controller transmits such data
via Internet. Security measures could include, for example, the
encryption of templates and protection of encryption keys apart from the
access control and protection that makes it virtually impossible to
reconstruction of the original data from the templates. Additionally, use of
realistic or photo use masks to try to trick the system, always on
connection with the advances and the state of the art, taking into account that the
biometric systems that are more effective when it comes to recognizing a person are also
the most potentially vulnerable
Likewise, the working document on biometrics, adopted on 08/01/2003 by GT29,
is of the opinion that biometric systems relating to physical characteristics that do not allow
trace (for example the shape of the hand, but not fingerprints) or systems
biometrics relating to physical characteristics that leave a trace but do not depend on the
storage of data held by a person other than the interested party (in other
words, the data is not stored in the access control device or in a
central database) create fewer risks for the protection of rights and
fundamental freedoms of people (Biometric data can be distinguished
that are processed centrally from the biometric reference data that is
stored on a mobile device and the compliance process is performed on the card
and not on the sensor or when it is part of the mobile device).
-It is generally accepted that the risk of reusing biometric data obtained
from physical traces left by people inadvertently (for example: footprints
digital) for incompatible purposes is relatively low if the data is not
stored in centralized databases, but in the possession of the person and are
inaccessible to third parties. Centralized storage of biometric data
it also increases the risk of using biometric data as a key to
interconnect different databases, which could allow obtaining profiles
details of a person's habits both publicly and privately. Besides,
the question of the compatibility of the purposes leads us to the interoperability of
different systems that use biometrics. The standardization required
interoperability can lead to greater interconnection between databases.
-Role of the person in charge of treatment that is obliged to assist the person in charge to the
when carrying out the management, and that if you develop or supply a product as your
software, it must be incorporated into the treatment risk management process that
claims to be responsible. Option to audit the measures implemented by the
data controller
The claimant does not contemplate various and varied elements and scenarios that have been
indicated in this section in its risk assessment, and has provided an evaluation
of impact that was merely nominal, since it has not examined its aspects
substantive, neither assessed the risks nor the proportionality and necessity of the
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implementation of the system, its impact on the rights and freedoms of the interested parties
and its guarantees.
In accordance with the available evidence, it is considered that the
The exposed individuals breach the provisions of article 35 of the GDPR.
V
The alleged infringement is typified in article 83.4.a) of the GDPR, which indicates:
Violations of the following provisions will be sanctioned, in accordance with the
paragraph 2, with administrative fines of a maximum of 10,000,000 EUR or, in the case of
of a company, of an amount equivalent to a maximum of 2% of the volume of
overall annual total business of the previous financial year, opting for the one with the highest
amount:
a) The obligations of the controller and the person in charge under articles 8, 11, 25 to
39, 42 and 43;"
The LOPDGDD establishes for the purposes of prescription of the infringement, in its article 73.t):
"Based on what is established in article 83.4 of Regulation (EU) 2016/679, the
They are considered serious and will prescribe after two years the infractions that suppose a vulnerability.
substantial portion of the articles mentioned therein and, in particular, the following:
t) The processing of personal data without having carried out the evaluation of the impact
of processing operations in the protection of personal data in the su-
posts in which it is enforceable.”
SAW
The determination of the sanction that should be imposed in the present case requires observing
vary the provisions of articles 83.1 and 2 of the GDPR, precepts that, respectively,
have the following:
"1. Each control authority will guarantee that the imposition of administrative fines
pursuant to this Article for breaches of this Regulation indicated
in sections 4, 9 and 6 are effective in each individual case, proportionately
give and dissuasive.”
"2. Administrative fines will be imposed, depending on the circumstances of each
individual case, as an addition to or substitute for the measures contemplated in article
Article 58, section 2, letters a) to h) and j). When deciding to impose an administrative fine
treatment and its amount in each individual case shall be duly taken into account:
a) the nature, seriousness and duration of the offence, taking into account the nature
nature, scope or purpose of the processing operation in question, as well as the number
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number of interested parties affected and the level of damages they have suffered;
b) intentionality or negligence in the infraction;
c) any measure taken by the person in charge or in charge of the treatment to
settle the damages suffered by the interested parties;
d) the degree of responsibility of the person in charge or of the person in charge of the treatment, habi-
gives an account of the technical or organizational measures that have been applied by virtue of the
articles 25 and 32;
e) any previous infringement committed by the controller or processor;
f) the degree of cooperation with the supervisory authority in order to remedy the
infringement and mitigate the potential adverse effects of the infringement;
g) the categories of personal data affected by the infringement;
h) the way in which the supervisory authority became aware of the infringement, in particular
determine whether the controller or processor notified the infringement and, if so, to what extent
gives;
i) when the measures indicated in article 58, paragraph 2, have been ordered
previously against the person in charge or the person in charge in relation to the
same matter, compliance with said measures;
j) adherence to codes of conduct under article 40 or to security mechanisms
notifications approved in accordance with article 42, and
k) any other aggravating or mitigating factor applicable to the circumstances of the case,
as the financial benefits obtained or the losses avoided, directly or indirectly.
mind, through infraction.”
Within this section, the LOPDGDD contemplates in its article 76, entitled "Sancio-
and corrective measures”:
"1. The sanctions provided for in sections 4, 5 and 6 of article 83 of the Regulation
(UE) 2016/679 will be applied taking into account the graduation criteria established
two in section 2 of said article.
2. In accordance with the provisions of article 83.2.k) of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 also
may also be taken into account:
a) The continuing nature of the offence.
b) The link between the offender's activity and data processing;
personal coughs.
c) The benefits obtained as a consequence of the commission of the infraction.
d) The possibility that the conduct of the affected party could have led to the commission
of the offence.
e) The existence of a merger by absorption process subsequent to the commission of the investment
fraction, which cannot be attributed to the absorbing entity.
f) The affectation of the rights of minors.
g) Have, when it is not mandatory, a data protection delegate.
h) Submission by the person responsible or in charge, on a voluntary basis, to
alternative conflict resolution mechanisms, in those cases in which
there are controversies between those and any interested party.
3. It will be possible, complementary or alternatively, the adoption, when appropriate, of
the remaining corrective measures referred to in article 83.2 of the Regulation
(EU) 2016/679.”
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In accordance with the precepts transcribed, for the purpose of setting the amount of the sanction of
fine to be imposed in the present case for the violation of article 35 of the GDPR, of the
that the claimed entity is held responsible, are deemed concurrent as
aggravating the following factors that reveal a greater illegality and/or
guilt in his conduct:
-Article 83.2.a) of the GDPR: "a) the nature, seriousness and duration of the infringement,
taking into account the nature, scope or purpose of the processing operation
in question as well as the number of interested parties affected and the level of damage and
damages they have suffered”.
Data from a very high number of attendees, 20,000, were processed without considering the
high level of risk in relation to the impact on their rights and freedoms that
may exist for treatments based on facial recognition for access to the
Congress.
- Article 83.2.b of the GDPR, "intentionality or negligence in the infringement". I don't know
is aware that the entity has acted fraudulently, although the action
reveals a serious lack of diligence in your conduct in taking action
precise proactive measures in such a unique, differentiated and special regime applicable to the type
of data that it deals with, without it being stated that the basic means have been put in place so that
did not occur. In this regard, what was declared in the Judgment of the
National Court of 10/17/2007 (rec. 63/2006) which, based on the fact that it is
entities whose activity involves continuous data processing, indicates that
“…the Supreme Court has been understanding that imprudence exists whenever
disregards a legal duty of care, that is, when the offender does not behave
with the due diligence. And in assessing the degree of diligence, consideration must be
especially the professionalism or not of the subject, and there is no doubt that, in the case
now examined, when the appellant's activity is of constant and abundant
handling of personal data must insist on rigor and exquisite care
for complying with the legal provisions in this regard”.
-Article 76.2.b) of the LOPDGDD “b) The link between the activity of the infringer and the
processing of personal data." The indisputable link between
activity of the defendant with the performance of data processing of a
staff, at least natural persons attending this type of massive event that
has been organizing for a long time (art 76.2.b of the GDPR).
In relation to the mitigations sought by the defendant:
-Estimating that the infringement was not continued, it only lasted from 03/22/2021 and ceased
four weeks after the end of the event, 07/29/2021.
The system was used every day and during the entire period of the Congress. The number
of daily attendees was presumably in the thousands, so even though
Outside of that space of time, its use was intensive and massive.
-Regarding collaboration by providing what is requested by the AEPD, it must be indicated that the
Article 5.2 of the GDPR, based on the principle of proactive responsibility, must be
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interpreted broadly, in the sense that the data controller must
not only demonstrate that the data processing complies with the provisions of the same, in
In this case, before implementing biometric data, prepare an EIPD, and must
also prove that all the necessary conditions are met for said
treatment takes effect. Therefore, the collaboration and contribution of documents
to certify that the treatment conforms to the regulations is a minimum required, which
therefore, it must not produce any mitigation in case of infringement.
-Regarding the mitigating factor that the audience was familiar with the
technologies and can choose the RF option, the procedure does not start and resolve
for said use, but for not foreseeing the evaluation of the impact of the treatment.
In addition to the above, it adds that minors in the few cases that were
with an assistant, with them the F system was not used. This allusion to add it as
a mitigating factor in the sanction, it is still purely secondary and episodic, when
nothing has been specified about the minors in the procedure, their reference being
purely marginal, and not being attended to, being also analyzed, the validity
before processing the RF of a valid EIPD.
-Finally, not having committed previous infractions cannot serve as
extenuating
As a consequence, with the elements that are available, the sanction is quantified in
200,000 euros.
VII
Article 58.2 of the GDPR provides the following: "Each control authority shall have
of all of the following corrective powers listed below:
[…]”
i) impose an administrative fine in accordance with article 83, in addition to or instead of
the measures mentioned in this paragraph, according to the circumstances of each
particular case;"
"d) order the controller or processor that the processing operations
compliance with the provisions of this Regulation, where appropriate, in accordance with
a certain manner and within a specified period;”
"The imposition of this measure is compatible with the sanction consisting of a fine
administration, according to the provisions of art. 83.2 of the GDPR.”
Article 36.1 and 2 of the GDPR establishes:
"1. The person in charge shall consult the control authority before proceeding to the
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28001 – Madrid sedeagpd.gob.es 47/48
processing when an impact assessment relating to data protection in
under Article 35 shows that the processing would entail a high risk if the
responsible does not take measures to mitigate it.
2. When the supervisory authority considers that the planned treatment referred to
paragraph 1 could infringe this Regulation, in particular where the
responsible has not sufficiently identified or mitigated the risk, the control authority
control must, within a period of eight weeks from the request for consultation,
advise in writing the person in charge, and where appropriate the person in charge, and may use
any of its powers mentioned in article 58. Said term may
extended by six weeks, depending on the complexity of the planned treatment. The
control authority will inform the person in charge and, where appropriate, the person in charge of such
extension within one month from receipt of the consultation request,
indicating the reasons for the delay. These terms may be suspended until the
supervisory authority has obtained the information requested for the purposes of the consultation.”
In this case, only the required impact assessment has been assessed before
of data processing of the facial recognition system for access to MWC
of 2021, without questioning that of 2022.
Therefore, in accordance with the applicable legislation and assessed the criteria of
graduation of sanctions whose existence has been accredited,
the Director of the Spanish Data Protection Agency RESOLVES:
FIRST: IMPOSE GSMA LIMITED, with NIF N4004237F, for a violation of the
article 35 of the GDPR, in accordance with article 83.4.a) of the GDPR, and for the purposes of
prescription, considered serious in article 73.t) of the LOPDGDD, a fine of
200,000 euros.
SECOND: NOTIFY this resolution to GSMA LIMITED and GSMC EVENT
PROJECT MANAGEMENT, S.L.
THIRD: Warn the penalized person that they must make the imposed sanction effective
Once this resolution is enforceable, in accordance with the provisions of Article
art. 98.1.b) of Law 39/2015, of 1/10, on the Common Administrative Procedure of
Public Administrations (hereinafter LPACAP), within the voluntary payment term
established in art. 68 of the General Collection Regulations, approved by Royal
Decree 939/2005, of July 29, in relation to art. 62 of Law 58/2003, of
17/12, by means of its entry, indicating the NIF of the sanctioned and the number of
procedure that appears in the heading of this document, in the account
restricted IBAN number: ES00-0000-0000-0000-0000-0000 (BIC/SWIFT Code:
CAIXESBBXXX), opened on behalf of the Spanish Data Protection Agency in
the banking entity CAIXABANK, S.A. Otherwise, it will proceed to its
collection in executive period.
Once the notification has been received and once executed, if the execution date is
between the 1st and 15th of each month, both inclusive, the term to make the payment
voluntary will be until the 20th day of the following or immediately following business month, and if
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28001 – Madrid sedeagpd.gob.es 48/48
between the 16th and the last day of each month, both inclusive, the payment term
It will be until the 5th of the second following or immediately following business month.
In accordance with the provisions of article 50 of the LOPDGDD, this
Resolution will be made public once the interested parties have been notified.
Against this resolution, which puts an end to the administrative process in accordance with art. 48.6 of the
LOPDGDD, and in accordance with the provisions of article 123 of the LPACAP, the
Interested parties may optionally file an appeal for reversal before the
Director of the Spanish Agency for Data Protection within a period of one month from
count from the day following the notification of this resolution or directly
contentious-administrative appeal before the Contentious-administrative Chamber of the
National Court, in accordance with the provisions of article 25 and section 5 of
the fourth additional provision of Law 29/1998, of 07/13, regulating the
Contentious-administrative jurisdiction, within a period of two months from the
day following the notification of this act, as provided for in article 46.1 of the
referred Law.
Finally, it is noted that in accordance with the provisions of art. 90.3 a) of the LPACAP,
may provisionally suspend the firm resolution in administrative proceedings if the
The interested party expresses his intention to file a contentious-administrative appeal.
If this is the case, the interested party must formally communicate this fact through
writing addressed to the Spanish Data Protection Agency, presenting it through
of the Electronic Registry of the Agency [https://sedeagpd.gob.es/sede-electronica-
web/], or through any of the other registries provided for in art. 16.4 of the
mentioned LPCAP. You must also transfer to the Agency the documentation that accredits
the effective filing of the contentious-administrative appeal. If the agency does not
was aware of the filing of the contentious-administrative appeal in the
period of two months from the day following the notification of this resolution,
would terminate the injunction.
938-181022
Mar Spain Marti
Director of the Spanish Data Protection Agency
C/ Jorge Juan, 6 www.aepd.es
28001 – Madrid sedeagpd.gob.es
