HDPA (Greece) - 3/2022: Difference between revisions

From GDPRhub
No edit summary
(→‎English Machine Translation of the Decision: added automated translation! Very important to have this in the initial submission form because it is difficult to add later)
 
(3 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 4: Line 4:
|DPA-BG-Color=background-color:#ffffff;
|DPA-BG-Color=background-color:#ffffff;
|DPAlogo=LogoGR.jpg
|DPAlogo=LogoGR.jpg
|DPA_Abbrevation=HDPA (Greece)
|DPA_Abbrevation=HDPA
|DPA_With_Country=HDPA (Greece)
|DPA_With_Country=HDPA (Greece)


Line 11: Line 11:


|Original_Source_Name_1=HDPA
|Original_Source_Name_1=HDPA
|Original_Source_Link_1=https://www.dpa.gr/sites/default/files/2022-01/3_2022%2520anonym.pdf
|Original_Source_Link_1=https://www.dpa.gr/sites/default/files/2022-11/prosorini%2520diatagi%25203_2022%2520anonym.pdf
|Original_Source_Language_1=Greek
|Original_Source_Language_1=Greek
|Original_Source_Language__Code_1=EL
|Original_Source_Language__Code_1=EL
|Original_Source_Name_2=
|Original_Source_Link_2=
|Original_Source_Language_2=
|Original_Source_Language__Code_2=


|Type=Complaint
|Type=Other
|Outcome=Upheld
|Outcome=
|Date_Started=04.09.2020
|Date_Started=
|Date_Decided=13.01.2022
|Date_Decided=
|Date_Published=
|Date_Published=
|Year=2022
|Year=
|Fine=None
|Fine=
|Currency=
|Currency=


|GDPR_Article_1=Article 5(1)(c) GDPR
|GDPR_Article_1=Article 4(7) GDPR
|GDPR_Article_Link_1=Article 5 GDPR#1c
|GDPR_Article_Link_1=Article 4 GDPR#7
|GDPR_Article_2=Article 15 GDPR
|GDPR_Article_Link_2=Article 15 GDPR
|GDPR_Article_3=Article 18 GDPR
|GDPR_Article_Link_3=Article 18 GDPR
|GDPR_Article_4=Article 58(2)(f) GDPR
|GDPR_Article_Link_4=Article 58 GDPR#2f
|GDPR_Article_5=
|GDPR_Article_Link_5=
|GDPR_Article_6=
|GDPR_Article_Link_6=


|EU_Law_Name_1=
|EU_Law_Link_1=
|EU_Law_Name_2=
|EU_Law_Link_2=


|National_Law_Name_1=National Law 3917/2011 Article 6
|National_Law_Link_1=
|National_Law_Name_2=National Law 4624/2019 Article 15
|National_Law_Link_2=
|National_Law_Name_3=National Law 4624/2019 Article 18
|National_Law_Link_3=
|National_Law_Name_4=
|National_Law_Link_4=
|National_Law_Name_5=
|National_Law_Link_5=


|Party_Name_1=anonymous
|Party_Name_1=
|Party_Link_1=
|Party_Link_1=
|Party_Name_2=Ministry of National Defence
|Party_Name_2=
|Party_Link_2=https://www.mod.mil.gr/en/
|Party_Link_2=
|Party_Name_3=
|Party_Link_3=
|Party_Name_4=
|Party_Link_4=
|Party_Name_5=
|Party_Link_5=


|Appeal_To_Body=
|Appeal_To_Body=
Line 45: Line 67:
|Appeal_To_Link=
|Appeal_To_Link=


|Initial_Contributor=Heiko Hanusch
|Initial_Contributor=Anastasia Tsermenidou
|
|
}}
}}


The Greek DPA held that the Ministry of National Defense violated the principle of data minimisation by issuing a data subject's military status certificate with excessive personal data, and ordered it to reissue the certificate including only the data subject's name.
The Greek DPA ordered three mobile telephone service providers to suspend the processing of the destruction of data related to telephone numbers until a final decision of the DPA is adopted.


== English Summary ==
== English Summary ==


=== Facts ===
=== Facts ===
The data subject complained to the Ministry of National Defence that his military status certificate ("Type A Certificate") mentioned that he was recognised as a conscientious objector for religious reasons or ideological beliefs, did community service and and is not subject to any military service.
The data subject received two short text messages (SMS) on his mobile telephone number intended to mislead him to follow hyperlinks through which a spy software would be installed. The data subject made a request to exercise the right of access under [[Article 15 GDPR]] and the right to restriction of processing under [[Article 18 GDPR]] against three mobile telephone service providers (the controllers). The DPA initiated its own investigation against the controllers concerning the installation of software on a user' device without consent and the related processing of personal data.


The Ministry of National Defence rejected the complaint.
In response to the request, only one of the controllers provided a copy of the data and stated that the critical personal data had already been extracted and handed over to the DPA and therefore could not be destroyed. The data subject directed a complaint to the Greek DPA with a request for urgent action on the matter.  


As a result, the data subject lodged a complaint with the HDPA (Greece).
=== Holding ===
=== Holding ===
The HDPA upheld the complaint and held that Ministry of National Defense violated the principle of dataminimisation under [[Article 5 GDPR#1c|Article 5(1)(c) GDPR]].
The DPA explained that during the sending and use of SMS, traffic and location data are generated and processed. If they refer to a natural person, they constitute personal data within the meaning of [[Article 4 GDPR|Article 4(7) GDPR]]. Furthermore, the erasure or destruction of personal data is a form of processing based on [[Article 4 GDPR|Article 4(2) GDPR]].


It reasoned that the Type A Certificate's general purpose is to only certify that the holder is not subject to military obligations. As long as there are no special circumstances which require the certificate to mention further information, the certificate's purpose is achieved by just mentioning the name of the holder. Special circumstances may be the particular objectives which the applicant pursues with the certificate or legal provisions requiring additional information.  
The DPA has the power to issue an ex officio interim order for immediate total or partial temporary restriction of processing under [https://www.e-nomothesia.gr/kat-dedomena-prosopikou-kharaktera/nomos-4624-2019-phek-137a-29-8-2019.html Article 15(4)(c) and 15(8) of Law No. 4624/19], the national data protection law, in conjunction with [[Article 58 GDPR|Article 58(2) GDPR]].  


Since no special circumstances existed, the Ministry of National Defense violated [[Article 5 GDPR#1c|Article 5(1)(c) GDPR]].
According to [https://www.lawspot.gr/nomikes-plirofories/nomothesia/n-3917-2011/arthro-6-nomos-3917-2011-topos-kai-diarkeia-diatirisis Article 6 of National Law 3917/2011], records, such as the ones in question, are to be kept for a period of 12 months from the date of the communication and should be destroyed at the end of the period of retention by an automated procedure, except those to which access has been lawfully obtained. Considering these facts, the SMS would be destroyed after the end of the above mentioned period. Due to the ongoing investigation, the DPA had to prevent the personal data from being deleted or destroyed.
 
Therefore, in order to exercise its supervisory powers and to ensure that the rights of the data subject are protected, the Greek DPA ordered the controllers to retain and not delete the above data personal data (traffic and location data), until the DPA releases its final decision.  


== Comment ==
== Comment ==
For the corresponding decision of the same day see [[HDPA (Greece) - 2/2022]].
''Share your comments here!''


== Further Resources ==
== Further Resources ==
Line 76: Line 99:


<pre>
<pre>
  Athens, 13-01-2022 No. Prot .: 79 DECISION 3/2022 (Department) The Personal Data Protection Authority met in a composition of the Department at its headquarters on 26.07.2021 at the invitation of its President, in order to examine the case that refers to the history hereof. The President of the Authority K. Menoudakos, and the regular members of the Authority S. Vlachopoulos, as rapporteurs, Ch. Anthopoulos and K. Lambrinoudakis were present. Present without the right to vote were K. Karveli, a specialist scientist-lawyer, as an assistant rapporteur, who left after the discussion of the case and before the conference and the decision and G. Paleologos, an employee of the administrative affairs department of the Authority, as secretary. The Authority took into account the following: In from 4.9.20 and with no. prot. 2005 as amended and in force. In… year… he completed the, lasting ... months, alternative political social service and since then he has not been subject to any military obligation. In… of the year λε he submitted a digital application in order to be granted a certificate of military status from the website stratologia.gr. He χο was issued document No. από by the Military Service Φ, stating that he was recognized as a conscientious objector for reasons of religious or ideological beliefs, performed alternative political social service and is not subject to any military obligation. As he complains, from this certificate emerge data concerning his political views and philosophical beliefs, in violation of the provisions of article 22 et seq. Of law 4624/2019 and article 9 of the GCP. For this reason, in λε she submitted an application for deletion according to article 17 GKPD of the data of special categories which is observed and is still processed by the Military Service F. In her reply document στο to the request for deletion, the Military Service F stated that issued in…, with number…, reflected the military changes related to the fulfillment of alternative social service, without mentioning changes related to political views, philosophical beliefs or physical ability. Following this, in his complaint to the Authority, he complains that the Military Service Φ did not satisfy his request, and asks the Authority to intervene in order to a) delete all unnecessary personal data from any database (digital or printed) of the military service, in accordance with the current legislation and the relevant decisions of the Authority and b) to be issued a certificate of military status in which it is written and certified only the fact that he has fulfilled his military obligations. The Authority, in the context of the investigation of the complainants, sent the no. prot. G / EX / 5987-1 / 08.12.20 document for providing clarifications regarding the complaint of A to the Military Service Φ, which in no. prot. G / EX / 8912 / 2912.20 its answer stated the following: a) according to articles 49 and 67 of law 3421/2005, it is not possible to delete data concerning the military monitoring of the Greeks, but only the - revocation and not deletion of the military changes, b) from the registration of the recognition as an objection of conscience and fulfillment of alternative political social service of the complainant in his military portion neither his religious, nor his philosophical and ideological perceptions are expressed, c) he can not a military change has been registered that the conscientious objector has fulfilled the military obligations since he does not have the military status, and d) the data listed in the issued certificate do not reveal the religious, philosophical or ideological beliefs of the complainant. The Authority, after examining the complaint and the details of its dossier and after hearing the rapporteur and the assistant rapporteur, who left after the discussion of the case and before the conference and the decision, after a thorough discussion THOUGHT ACCORDING TO THE LAW 1. According to the provisions of article 5 par. 1 of the GCP, personal data must, inter alia: (b) be collected for specified, express and lawful purposes and not be further processed in a manner incompatible with those purposes; (c) be appropriate, relevant and limited to the purposes necessary for processing ("data minimization") and (d) be accurate and, where necessary, up to date. 2. In accordance with Article 42 of the Rules of Organization and Operation of the Joint Legal Body, military changes are registered in the military units by the staff of the Service, which is responsible for the issuance of the relevant administrative act and are confidential elements that are not disclosed to third parties. the type of changes registered in the files is determined by orders issued by GEETHA. Confidentiality is an obligation and responsibility arising from the current legislation on personal data protection, while exceptionally it is possible to disclose to third parties changes or data from the computer records and military registers, in accordance with the conditions set by the current legislation on the protection of the individual from the processing of personal data and for the reasons set out therein. Also, according to article 44 of the Regulation of Organization and Operation of the Common Legal Corps, the certificates of military status are used in the cases when the interested parties want the certification of their military status or the certification of all or some of their military changes. In order to make a decision on the indication of all or some changes, the purpose for which the person concerned requests the issuance of the certificate is taken into account, and if this is not clearly deduced from the relevant application, the changes of classification and dismissal, award are indicated in the certificate. ranks of officer and swearing in, recognition of service time and entry into reserve and time not counted as time of actual military service. For the issuance of certificates, the provisions of the current legislation for the protection of the individual from the processing of personal data are taken into account. Changes relating to unsuitability for military service or postponement for health reasons or shift of classification for health reasons or to physical fitness crisis are listed in accordance with applicable legislation to protect the individual from the processing of personal data. However, it is possible, if the interested party explicitly requests it in his application, to indicate these changes, as they have been registered in his conscription unit. For those who are in disobedience or insubordination, no certificate of military status is issued. 3. In order for personal data to be legally processed, ie processed in accordance with the requirements of the GCP, the conditions for the application and observance of the principles of Article 5 par. 1 GCP must be met cumulatively. Certificates of enlistment issued by the enlistment offices on the basis of the information entered in the enlistment office should include only that information which is necessary for the purpose for which it is issued. The indication of any other element that does not meet this purpose is superfluous and contradicts the principles of proportionality, appropriateness and minimization of processing set out in the above provisions of the GCC. Specifically, the main purpose of the certificate of general military status, certificate type AD, is the certification that one is no longer subject to military obligations. The entry in the certificate of any other data is therefore contrary to the above principles and is therefore illegal. Home means that the certificate legally includes more information or all military changes if required by law for the purpose for which the certificate is issued. In this respect, which is based on the GCC, the above-mentioned provision of Article 44 of the Regulation on the Organization and Operation of the Common Legal Entity is harmonized, which stipulates that certificates of military status are used in cases where those interested in certifying military their status or certification of all or some of their military changes, that the indication of all or some of the changes shall take into account the purpose for which the protecting the individual from the processing of personal data. 4. In the case of A's complaint, a certificate of military status of type AD was issued, "upon a relevant application for each legal use", which lists three military changes concerning his subordination to those in charge of an alternative political social service as a conscientious objector. his presentation on the execution of the alternative civil service and his dismissal after the performance of this service, respectively, and it is confirmed that "he has fulfilled the alternative service and is not currently subject to any military obligation". The content of this certificate is not legal, according to the previous paragraphs, because in addition to the statement that the complainant is not subject to military service, the above-mentioned military changes are mentioned and the fact that he has performed alternative service, without this information being necessary for the specific purpose for which the certificate was requested. FOR THESE REASONS The Authority INVITES the Ministry of National Defense, as the person in charge of processing, to issue for the complainant again the certificate of military status type A 'with the indication only since he is no longer subject to any military obligation. The President The Secretary Konstantinos Menoudakos Georgia Paleologos
 
Athens, 14-11-2022
Original No: 2857
Decision of the President of the Authority No
3/2022
(Single Person - Provisional Order)
The President of the Authority as a unilateral body in accordance with Articles 17 par. 1
of Law No. 4624/2019 (Government Gazette A' 137), within the framework of the
powers provided for in Articles,
4 para. 3(a) and 10(3)(a) and (10)(a) 4 of the Authority's Rules of Procedure
(Government Gazette B 879/25.02.2022) and the powers provided for in Article 15 par.
4(c) and 8 of Law No. 4624/2019 in conjunction with Article 58 par. 2 f' of Regulation
(EU) 2016/679 (GDPR), examined the case referred to below in the background to this
decision.
The Authority has taken note of the following:
1. As by letter C/EIS/11635/09-11-2022, A (hereinafter referred to as 'the applicant')
submitted to the Authority a request for the urgent exercise of its powers. The
applicant had already informed the Authority by letter C/EIS/11097/18-10-2022
following its request for an urgent procedure by letter C/EIS/11097/18-10-2022.
C/EXE/2361/26-09-2022, of the content of the complaint lodged on ... with ..., which
shows that he received on his mobile phone number "..." (Cosmote provider) two
short text messages (SMS) intended to mislead him to follow hyperlinks through
which spyware is installed. Those messages were sent (a) on ... and at ..., with the
apparent sender's number "..." and (b) on ... at ..., with
1
Ave. 1-3 Kifissia Street, 11523 Athens, Greece
T: 210 6475 600 - E: contact@dpa.gr - www.dpa.gr
2
the displayed sender is the number "...". The Authority is examining both this request
and, on its own initiative, the installation of software on a user's terminal device
without consent and the related processing of personal data.
2. Because the applicant, on ..., filed a request to exercise the right of access under
Article 15 GDPR and the right of restriction under Article 18 GDPR to the mobile
telephony service providers COSMOTE - MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS S.A.
(Cosmote), WIND HELLAS TELECOMMUNICATIONS
MONOPROSOPI S.A. (Wind) and VODAFONE PANAFON Hellenic Telecommunications
Company Limited (Vodafone).
3. Because Cosmote, the applicant's ISP, replied by informing that the critical data had
already been extracted and handed over to the competent authorities and therefore
there was no question of their destruction, and provided a copy of the data relating
to the messages in question. The applicant states that Cosmote included in its reply
only data included in Article 5 of Law No. 3917/2011 and not all of its data and,
further, that no information was provided in relation to the sender's number.
4. Because Wind, the provider of the number shown as the sender in the first message,
replied informing that no communication was found from and to this number.
5. Because Vodafone, the provider of the number that appears as the sender in the
second message, replied by informing that this number has never been activated to
date, and therefore no personal data of the applicant that originate from
communication with this number have been processed by the company.
6. Because during the sending and use of SMS, traffic and location data are generated
and processed which, if they refer to a natural person, constitute personal data
within the meaning of article 4 par. 7 of the GDPR and which are processed for
various purposes, including
3
including keeping for the purposes described in Chap. A' of Law no. 3917/2011.
7. Because SMS can be sent in a way that allows the information of the sender of a
message to be altered (spoofing), in particular through gateways, and SMS messages
can enter the network of a mobile telephony service provider via interconnected
international networks. When SMS messages are introduced into a mobile service
provider's network, personal data relating to the network or application from which
the message originates are also generated, such as, but not limited to, those
necessary for the payment of interconnections or the billing of services. In the
present case, based on the responses of the providers to the applicant's requests, it is
evident that a spoofing technique has been used, therefore, in order to identify the
sender of the messages, the information on the origin of the messages (e.g., sending
network, sending gateway) should be considered, if respected, which also constitute
personal data as they are related to the applicant's number.
8. Because, according to Article 6 of Law no. 3917/2011, the data kept for the purposes
of this law are retained for a period of 12 months from the date of communication
and are destroyed at the end of the retention period by the provider through an
automated procedure, except for those to which access has been lawfully obtained.
Accordingly, the data generated during the sending and receiving of the above-
mentioned short text messages on ... and ... and retained for the purposes of this law
must be destroyed after one year, after ... and ... respectively.
9. Since the Authority has, on the basis of Article 15(1)(a) of the EEA Agreement, the
power to adopt the following measures. 4(c) and 8 of Law No. 4624/19 in conjunction
with Art. 2 f GDPR, the power to issue
4
an ex officio interim order for immediate total or partial temporary restriction of
processing.
10. Since the erasure or destruction of personal data is a form of processing based
on Article 4 para. 2 of the GDPR.
11. Because in order for the Authority to exercise its supervisory powers and to
ensure the protection of the rights of the data subject, it is necessary to maintain and
not delete the above personal data (traffic and location data).
FOR THESE REASONS THE
AUTHORITY
Orders the electronic communication service providers WIND HELLAS TELEPOINONICS
MONOPROΣOPIESS S.A., VODAFONE PANAFONE HELLENIC ANONYMOUS HELLENIC
Telecommunications Company and COSMOTE - MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS S.A., to
suspend the processing of the destruction of the personal data related to the telephone
numbers mentioned above which have been generated or processed during the sending
or receiving of the above-mentioned short text messages, until the Authority issues a
new decision.
The President
Konstantinos Menoudakos
 
</pre>
</pre>

Latest revision as of 13:09, 23 November 2022

HDPA - 3/2022
LogoGR.jpg
Authority: HDPA (Greece)
Jurisdiction: Greece
Relevant Law: Article 4(7) GDPR
Article 15 GDPR
Article 18 GDPR
Article 58(2)(f) GDPR
National Law 3917/2011 Article 6
National Law 4624/2019 Article 15
National Law 4624/2019 Article 18
Type: Other
Outcome: n/a
Started:
Decided:
Published:
Fine: n/a
Parties: n/a
National Case Number/Name: 3/2022
European Case Law Identifier: n/a
Appeal: n/a
Original Language(s): Greek
Original Source: HDPA (in EL)
Initial Contributor: Anastasia Tsermenidou

The Greek DPA ordered three mobile telephone service providers to suspend the processing of the destruction of data related to telephone numbers until a final decision of the DPA is adopted.

English Summary

Facts

The data subject received two short text messages (SMS) on his mobile telephone number intended to mislead him to follow hyperlinks through which a spy software would be installed. The data subject made a request to exercise the right of access under Article 15 GDPR and the right to restriction of processing under Article 18 GDPR against three mobile telephone service providers (the controllers). The DPA initiated its own investigation against the controllers concerning the installation of software on a user' device without consent and the related processing of personal data.

In response to the request, only one of the controllers provided a copy of the data and stated that the critical personal data had already been extracted and handed over to the DPA and therefore could not be destroyed. The data subject directed a complaint to the Greek DPA with a request for urgent action on the matter.

Holding

The DPA explained that during the sending and use of SMS, traffic and location data are generated and processed. If they refer to a natural person, they constitute personal data within the meaning of Article 4(7) GDPR. Furthermore, the erasure or destruction of personal data is a form of processing based on Article 4(2) GDPR.

The DPA has the power to issue an ex officio interim order for immediate total or partial temporary restriction of processing under Article 15(4)(c) and 15(8) of Law No. 4624/19, the national data protection law, in conjunction with Article 58(2) GDPR.

According to Article 6 of National Law 3917/2011, records, such as the ones in question, are to be kept for a period of 12 months from the date of the communication and should be destroyed at the end of the period of retention by an automated procedure, except those to which access has been lawfully obtained. Considering these facts, the SMS would be destroyed after the end of the above mentioned period. Due to the ongoing investigation, the DPA had to prevent the personal data from being deleted or destroyed.

Therefore, in order to exercise its supervisory powers and to ensure that the rights of the data subject are protected, the Greek DPA ordered the controllers to retain and not delete the above data personal data (traffic and location data), until the DPA releases its final decision.

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 Greek original. Please refer to the Greek original for more details.


Athens, 14-11-2022
Original No: 2857
Decision of the President of the Authority No
3/2022
(Single Person - Provisional Order)
The President of the Authority as a unilateral body in accordance with Articles 17 par. 1
of Law No. 4624/2019 (Government Gazette A' 137), within the framework of the
powers provided for in Articles,
4 para. 3(a) and 10(3)(a) and (10)(a) 4 of the Authority's Rules of Procedure
(Government Gazette B 879/25.02.2022) and the powers provided for in Article 15 par.
4(c) and 8 of Law No. 4624/2019 in conjunction with Article 58 par. 2 f' of Regulation
(EU) 2016/679 (GDPR), examined the case referred to below in the background to this
decision.
The Authority has taken note of the following:
1. As by letter C/EIS/11635/09-11-2022, A (hereinafter referred to as 'the applicant')
submitted to the Authority a request for the urgent exercise of its powers. The
applicant had already informed the Authority by letter C/EIS/11097/18-10-2022
following its request for an urgent procedure by letter C/EIS/11097/18-10-2022.
C/EXE/2361/26-09-2022, of the content of the complaint lodged on ... with ..., which
shows that he received on his mobile phone number "..." (Cosmote provider) two
short text messages (SMS) intended to mislead him to follow hyperlinks through
which spyware is installed. Those messages were sent (a) on ... and at ..., with the
apparent sender's number "..." and (b) on ... at ..., with
1
Ave. 1-3 Kifissia Street, 11523 Athens, Greece
T: 210 6475 600 - E: contact@dpa.gr - www.dpa.gr
2
the displayed sender is the number "...". The Authority is examining both this request
and, on its own initiative, the installation of software on a user's terminal device
without consent and the related processing of personal data.
2. Because the applicant, on ..., filed a request to exercise the right of access under
Article 15 GDPR and the right of restriction under Article 18 GDPR to the mobile
telephony service providers COSMOTE - MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS S.A.
(Cosmote), WIND HELLAS TELECOMMUNICATIONS
MONOPROSOPI S.A. (Wind) and VODAFONE PANAFON Hellenic Telecommunications
Company Limited (Vodafone).
3. Because Cosmote, the applicant's ISP, replied by informing that the critical data had
already been extracted and handed over to the competent authorities and therefore
there was no question of their destruction, and provided a copy of the data relating
to the messages in question. The applicant states that Cosmote included in its reply
only data included in Article 5 of Law No. 3917/2011 and not all of its data and,
further, that no information was provided in relation to the sender's number.
4. Because Wind, the provider of the number shown as the sender in the first message,
replied informing that no communication was found from and to this number.
5. Because Vodafone, the provider of the number that appears as the sender in the
second message, replied by informing that this number has never been activated to
date, and therefore no personal data of the applicant that originate from
communication with this number have been processed by the company.
6. Because during the sending and use of SMS, traffic and location data are generated
and processed which, if they refer to a natural person, constitute personal data
within the meaning of article 4 par. 7 of the GDPR and which are processed for
various purposes, including
3
including keeping for the purposes described in Chap. A' of Law no. 3917/2011.
7. Because SMS can be sent in a way that allows the information of the sender of a
message to be altered (spoofing), in particular through gateways, and SMS messages
can enter the network of a mobile telephony service provider via interconnected
international networks. When SMS messages are introduced into a mobile service
provider's network, personal data relating to the network or application from which
the message originates are also generated, such as, but not limited to, those
necessary for the payment of interconnections or the billing of services. In the
present case, based on the responses of the providers to the applicant's requests, it is
evident that a spoofing technique has been used, therefore, in order to identify the
sender of the messages, the information on the origin of the messages (e.g., sending
network, sending gateway) should be considered, if respected, which also constitute
personal data as they are related to the applicant's number.
8. Because, according to Article 6 of Law no. 3917/2011, the data kept for the purposes
of this law are retained for a period of 12 months from the date of communication
and are destroyed at the end of the retention period by the provider through an
automated procedure, except for those to which access has been lawfully obtained.
Accordingly, the data generated during the sending and receiving of the above-
mentioned short text messages on ... and ... and retained for the purposes of this law
must be destroyed after one year, after ... and ... respectively.
9. Since the Authority has, on the basis of Article 15(1)(a) of the EEA Agreement, the
power to adopt the following measures. 4(c) and 8 of Law No. 4624/19 in conjunction
with Art. 2 f GDPR, the power to issue
4
an ex officio interim order for immediate total or partial temporary restriction of
processing.
10. Since the erasure or destruction of personal data is a form of processing based
on Article 4 para. 2 of the GDPR.
11. Because in order for the Authority to exercise its supervisory powers and to
ensure the protection of the rights of the data subject, it is necessary to maintain and
not delete the above personal data (traffic and location data).
FOR THESE REASONS THE
AUTHORITY
Orders the electronic communication service providers WIND HELLAS TELEPOINONICS
MONOPROΣOPIESS S.A., VODAFONE PANAFONE HELLENIC ANONYMOUS HELLENIC
Telecommunications Company and COSMOTE - MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS S.A., to
suspend the processing of the destruction of the personal data related to the telephone
numbers mentioned above which have been generated or processed during the sending
or receiving of the above-mentioned short text messages, until the Authority issues a
new decision.
The President
Konstantinos Menoudakos