2016

The Belgian Data Protection Authority recently published a 13-step guidance document that will help organizations prepare for the EU General Data Protection Regulation. The steps include awareness, internal records, privacy notice, individuals ' rights, access requests, legal basis, consent, children 's personal data, data breach, data protection by design and data protection impact assessments, data protection officer, international, and existing contracts.

"On 7th October, the French Digital Republic Act (""Loi n�2016-1321 pour une R�publique num�rique"") came into force. This law introduces new provisions that will regulate the digital economy as a whole. For privacy professionals, this law is important as it introduces several key amendments under the French Data Protection Act of 1978 and other laws, prior to the GDPR's entry into force in 2018."

"NAIH, Hungary 's Authority for Data Protection and Freedom of Information issued new guidance about when a Hungarian employer can conduct background checks of its employees or job candidates. Hungarian Law permits a former employer to send information on a prospective employee to a new employer only with the employee 's prior and informed consent. In addition, an employee 's or job applicant 's criminal background can be checked by requesting a ""certificate of clean criminal record.""

Last, collecting publicly available information from the internet or social networks is permitted. However, if the employer is using such information in the recruitment process, or during employment, it must inform the job applicants|employees."