Persónuvernd - 2020010708
Persónuvernd - 2020010708 | |
---|---|
Authority: | Persónuvernd (Iceland) |
Jurisdiction: | Iceland |
Relevant Law: | Article 6(1) GDPR |
Type: | Complaint |
Outcome: | Rejected |
Started: | |
Decided: | 27.04.2021 |
Published: | 27.04.2021 |
Fine: | None |
Parties: | n/a |
National Case Number/Name: | 2020010708 |
European Case Law Identifier: | n/a |
Appeal: | n/a |
Original Language(s): | Icelandic |
Original Source: | Personunvernd (in IS) |
Initial Contributor: | n/a |
The Icelandic DPA held that a credit rating company was permitted to use information on previous entries in the default register when preparing the credit ratings.
English Summary
Facts
On 18 December 2019, the DPA received a complaint from regarding the processing of personal information about a data subject by a credit rating company Creditinfo, in connection with the preparation of reports on his credit rating. According to the complainant, fot the purposes of the credit rating, Creditinfo stored and used information about his previous defaults with a bank, despite the fact that they have been settled for a long time. The complainant had requested a correction of the assessment, as he found information on his previous defaults unreliable and misleading. He demanded to stop the processing in the Creditinfo default register and requested information on the method used to calculate his credit rating.
According to Creditinfo, its current operating license states that information on individual debts should be deleted if it is known that they have been returned. Information from the register shall be deleted when it is four years old. The company may store information for additional three years and may use the information to comply with requests from registered individuals. The previous registrations that had affected the complainant's credit rating at the time the complaint was filed were dated 27 June 2017 and 14 June 2018 and were therefore less than four years old. Creditinfo's credit rating assesses the probability of default and registration in the default register over the next twelve months. Statistical predictions for future events must be based on historical information, such as returns and payment history.
Holding
The DPA had several times before taken the position that Creditinfo was permitted to use information on previous entries in the default register when preparing credit ratings for individuals. Creditinfo was not obliged by law to consider the income and assets of individuals when preparing reports on the creditworthiness of individuals
Regarding the complainant's demands to stop the processing of information about him by Creditinfo, the DPA had previously ruled that such a claim cannot be complied with.
In view of the above, the conclusion of the DPA is that Creditinfo's processing of information on the complainant's previous entries in the default register when making a credit rating about him was in accordance with Act no. 90/2018, on personal protection and processing of personal information.
Comment
Share your comments here!
Further Resources
Share blogs or news articles here!
English Machine Translation of the Decision
The decision below is a machine translation of the Icelandic original. Please refer to the Icelandic original for more details.
Individuals FAQ complete FAQ electronic monitoring general privacy right to be forgotten right to information about their genotype What is processing? A new privacy legislation 2018Almennt the new legislation other interesting stuff educational booklet: Privacy children's booklet: Private youth booklet: public companies and administration asked and answered all the questions and answers electronic monitoring general privacy access right controllers, processors and vinnslusamningarÁbyrgðarskyldaVinnsluskrárNý Privacy legislation 2018FræðsluefniLög and reglurLög privacy rules and regulations sacrificed other rules and guidelines relevant international and European law Solutions Solutions Reviews Licensing Various letters Privacy function Privacy News Staff and management for media requests for promotional events policy and gildiÁrsskýrslur201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002200120001999199819971996Annað materials Privacy policy Legal Notice AccessibilityService DeskTwitterEnglishDecisions in EnglishContactSearchReport Security FailureStatisticsStatistics 2021 Enter keywords SolutionsReviewsLicensingMiscellaneous letters Search for solutions Year from: Year to: Search Creditinfo processing Lánstraust hf. in connection with the preparation of credit reports Case no. 2020010708 27.4.2021 Privacy has ruled that Creditinfo has been authorized to use information on previous registrations on defaults in the preparation of credit ratings for individuals with reference to previous precedents on the same subject. Furthermore, the Data Protection Authority ruled that Creditinfo did not required by law to consider the income and assets of individuals in making reports on the credit rating of individual data Privacy can not be met the complainant's request that the processing of information about him by Creditinfo be stopped and registration of the company's default register would be terminated unless he authorized it. Ruling On March 18, 2021, the Data Protection Authority issued a ruling in case no. 2020010708 (former case no. 2019122373): I. Proceedings 1. Abstract case On December 18, 2019, the Data Protection Authority received a complaint from [A] (hereinafter) complainant) over the processing of personal information about him by Creditinfo Lánstraust hf. (Creditinfo) in connection with the preparation of reports on his credit rating. By e-mail, dated April 14, 2020, the Data Protection Authority requested further information information from the complainant. The complainant's reply was received by e-mail the same day. With letter, dated. June 23, 2020, the Data Protection Authority requested further information from complainant. The complainant's reply was received by two emails on 7 July 2020 and 3. October s.á. By letter dated November 2, 2020, Creditinfo was notified of the above complaint and given the opportunity to comment on it. Creditinfo's reply was received Privacy 23 November s.á. All of the above have been taken into account in resolving the case data, although not all of them are specifically described in the following ruling. The handling of this case has been delayed due to heavy work at the Data Protection Authority. 2. Perspectives complainantComplains about it that Creditinfo stores and uses information about the complainant's previous defaults to Arion Bank when preparing credit rating reports for four years registration, even though they have long been settled. Creditinfo does not accept based on solvency and solvency, incl. the complainant's equity position at that time as credit rating reports are retrieved from Creditinfo's system financial institutions and other parties. The complainant states that he has requested correction of the assessment, but Creditinfo aims to preserve these information, through Arion Bank. The complainant considers that information about his previous defaults is unreliable and misleading. He refers to that can not be considered normal to defaults, which were not due bankrupt or advertised in Lögbirtingarblaði, live for years after they have have been settled with a financial institution or other parties. Requires its complainant that the processing will be stopped and registration in Creditinfo's default register will be stopped unless the person registered is her home. Wishes complaining also after receiving information on the method used for calculations on his credit rating. It will not be seen what quality control is going on already credit rating calculations are performed. Then it is reprehensible to use information about defaults that have long since been settled in this way against interests of the individual. The complainant was in no way able to influence calculations or receive information in a transparent way about how it was calculated was that he had the credit rating that Creditinfo had sold to a third party party. 3. Perspectives Creditinfo Lánstraust hf. Creditinfo refers to that according to Act no. 33/2013 on consumer loans, great emphasis is placed on doing so is a reliable credit rating in the run-up to the consumer loan agreement and reports Creditinfo is intended to be useful in preparing such an assessment. Privacy has consider that it does not constitute an unauthorized disclosure of information default claims that have been submitted, that they affect the outcome credit rating reports, within the time limits provided by Creditinfo's operating license, provisions Act on Personal Data Protection and Processing of Personal Data no. 90/2018 and provisions of Regulation no. 246/2001 set, provided that the information itself is available does not reach the recipients of the assessment. It is referred to that in para. Articles 2.7. í the current operating license of Creditinfo from 29 December 2017 (case no. 2017/1541), which was renewed on 28 June 2019 (case no. 2019/1202), is discussed deletion of information. It states, among other things, that information on individual debts are known to have been repaid. Then it should be deleted information from the register when they are four years old. In the article replaced also stated that the company may store information for an additional three years and may use the information to comply with requests from registered individuals knowledge of the processing of personal information about themselves and to resolve disputes about the validity of the registration. A maximum of four years have elapsed since registration information on the default register may also be used for preparation credit rating at the request of the data subject, provided that no information is provided the requirements themselves only hold statistical results, cf. Paragraph 2 Articles 2.7. The previous registrations which had affected the complainant's credit rating, at the time the complaint was filed, was dated 27 June 2017 and June 14, 2018 and therefore be less than four years old. Credit rating Creditinfo assesses the probability of default and registration in the default register for the next twelve months. The statistical prediction of future events must be based on historical information such as the return and payment history. No default information and the history of payment in the past does not affect the credit rating is the basis pulled away from the usefulness of the assessment. Such an assessment would not satisfy the provisions of Article 5. Act no. 33/2013 on consumer loans and would run counter to comments on Article 10. í a bill that became that law, which states that a credit rating can among other things, based on punctuation and payment history. It has proven to be historic information on returns, defaults and payment history has great predictive value probability of default in the future. II.Conditions and conclusion1. Scope Guarantor Scope of Act no. 90/2018, on the protection of personal data and the processing of personal data, and Regulation (EU) 2016/679, Coll. Paragraph 1 Article 4 of the Act, and thereby the authority of the Data Protection Authority, cf. Paragraph 1 Article 39 of the Act, covers the processing of personal information that is automatic part or whole and processing by methods other than automatic on personal information that is or should be part of a file. For personal information information about an identified or personally identifiable individual and an individual is considered personally identifiable if it is possible to personally identify him / her directly or indirectly, by reference to his identity or one or more elements which are characteristic of him, cf. 2. tölul. Article 3 of the Act and point 1. Article 4 of the Regulation.With processing means in an action or sequence of actions in which personal information is processed, either which the processing is automatic or not, cf. Number 4 Article 3 of the Act and point 2. Article 4 of the Regulation.This case relates to processing of the complainant's personal data when preparing his credit rating Creditinfo. In that respect and having regard to the above provisions, this case concerns processing personal information that falls within the competence of the Data Protection Authority. There is also a complaint request information on the method used to calculate credit ratings complainant. In that regard, it is worth looking at The tasks of the Data Protection Authority are described in more detail in Article 39. Act no. 90/2018 and according to therefore, the agency monitors that processing complies with Act no. 90/2018 and Regulation (EU) 2016/679, special provisions in laws concerning the processing of personal data and other rules on the subject. With reference to this, cf. also justification in ruling of the Data Protection Authority, dated 11 September 2020, in case no. 2020010592, will not be seen for inspection The Data Protection Authority will review the mathematical calculation formula and Creditinfo's probability assessment in connection with the calculation of individuals' credit ratings. That part of the complaint must therefore be considered to fall outside the scope of the Data Protection Act and thus the authority of the Data Protection Authority. However, it does fall into place the role of the Data Protection Authority is to assess the proposed criteria basis for making credit ratings for individuals, such as whether Creditinfo is may use information on previous registrations in the default register. The person responsible that the processing of personal information complies with Act no. 90/2018 is mentioned responsible party. According to point 6. Article 3 of the Act refers to an individual, a legal entity, government authority or other party that decides alone or in cooperation with others purpose and methods of processing personal information, cf. 7. tölul. Article 4 of the Regulation. Creditinfo has over to employ information systems on financial matters and creditworthiness and work with information in them in order to communicate them to subscribers. That processing is on Creditinfo's responsibility and the company is therefore considered to be responsible for that processing which consisted of the use of the complainant's information recorded there made the company's reports on the assessment of the complainant's credit rating. 2. Operating license Creditinfo Lánstraust hf. Operation of a financial information office and processing of relevant information financial issues and creditworthiness of individuals and legal entities, incl. default registration and the preparation of credit ratings, in order to communicate them to others, shall be subject to authorization Privacy, cf. Paragraph 1 Article 15 Act no. 90/2018. Creditinfo's activities is largely covered by this provision and has been granted by the Data Protection Authority the company has an operating license in accordance with it, cf. now in terms of individuals Creditinfo's operating license for the processing of financial information and credit, dated. 29 December 2017 (case no. 2017/1541 with the Data Protection Authority). The Data Protection Authority has also granted the company an operating license for processing information on legal entities, dated 23 December 2016 (case no. 2016/1822 at Privacy), and temporary operating licenses for the processing of personal information in in favor of a credit rating, dated 23 August 2018 (case no. 2018/1229 at Privacy). 3. Legality of processing All processing of personal information must be covered any of the authorization provisions of Article 9. Act no. 90/2018, Coll. Article 6 of the Regulation (ESB) 2016/679. These include point 6. of the provision, cf. point e of the first paragraph. Article 6 of the Regulation, which states that the processing of personal data is permitted if it is necessary for legitimate interests as a guarantor or third party may except the interests or fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject which require protection of personal data is more important. The Data Protection Authority considers this provision to be applicable on the processing of personal information that takes place in Creditinfo's information systems in in connection with the preparation of reports on the complainant's credit rating. In addition to the authorization according to the above, there will be processing personal data to comply with the principles of the first paragraph. Article 8 Act no. 90/2018. Er among other things, it stipulates that personal information must be processed legally, fair and transparent to the data subject (point 1); that they should obtained for clearly stated, legitimate and objective purposes and not processed rather for other and incompatible purposes (paragraph 2); that they should be adequate, appropriate and not in excess of what is necessary for the purpose of processing (point 3); and that they should be reliable and updated accordingly needs (point 4) In the light of the above, it should be borne in mind that Privacy has several times before taken the position that Creditinfo has may use information on previous entries in the default register preparation of credit ratings for individuals. Please refer to it for a ruling Privacy, dated 11 September 2020, in case no. 2020010592, where the agency came to the conclusion that Creditinfo was allowed to use information on entry in the company's default register when preparing credit rating reports the complainant, for a maximum of four years from the registration of that information, cf. provisions in Creditinfo's operating license thereon. Regarding the rationale of the Data Protection Authority In this regard, reference is made to the above-mentioned ruling of the institution, which the Data Protection Authority considers the same views apply in the case at hand. The complaint also comments that it has not if the complainant's asset position is taken into account when making a credit rating with Creditinfo. In this connection, it is to be considered that the Data Protection Authority has previously taken that position that Creditinfo was not obliged by law to look at income and assets individuals when preparing reports on the creditworthiness of individuals. Refer to it ruling of the Data Protection Authority, dated 22 June 2020, in case no. 2020010678 and ruling, dated 11 September 2020, in case no. 2020010592. Regarding the reasoning of the Data Protection Authority in this regard refers to the above rulings of the institution, but the Data Protection Authority considers the same views to apply in this case. Regarding the complainant's requirements for the processing of information on he at Creditinfo will be suspended and registration on the company's default register will be stopped unless he authorizes it to be considered by the Data Protection Authority previously ruled that such a claim cannot be met. Refer to it and justification for the ruling of the Data Protection Authority, dated January 25, 2016, in case no. 2015/1457, but the Agency considers the same views to apply in this case. In view of the above, the conclusion of the Data Protection Authority is that Creditinfo's processing of information on the complainant's previous entries in the default register in making a credit rating of him has complied with Act no. 90/2018, on privacy and processing of personal information. Ú r s k u r ð a r o r ð: Creditinfo processing Lánstraust hf. on personal information about [A] for the purpose of reporting on his credit rating complied with Act no. 90/2018, on personal data protection and processing personal data, and Regulation (EU) 2016/679. In Privacy, March 18, 2021Helga Þórisdóttir Helga Sigríður Þórhallsdóttir Privacy PolicyLegal DisclaimerAccessibilityService DeskTwitter