Swedish DPA: Systematic Alcohol Tests May Qualify as Health Data

The Swedish DPA (IMY) has issued two decisions concerning the routine use of alcohol breath tests conducted on vessel captains operating within the regionally procured public transportation system in Stockholm. The tests were carried out systematically before and after each work shift, targeting personnel in safety-critical positions. Both the transport operator and the regional public […]

Opinion: EU Letter Hints at Potential Major Shift in GDPR Record-Keeping Obligations

The European Commission is preparing a proposal to simplify GDPR record-keeping obligations, specifically those related to the Record of Processing Activities (ROPA). This was recently hinted at in a joint letter from the EDPB and EDPS dated 8 May 2025. While the proposal has not yet been published and nothing is final, the letter provides […]

EU Set to Approve First-Ever GDPR Adequacy Decision for an International Organisation

In a landmark move for international data transfers, the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) has endorsed the European Commission’s draft adequacy decision recognising the European Patent Organisation (EPO) as offering an adequate level of personal data protection. This is the first time such a decision concerns an international organisation rather than a country or territory. […]

Swedish DPA Issues First Decisions on Cookie Banners Under the GDPR

The Swedish Authority for Privacy Protection (IMY) has, for the first time, issued decisions specifically concerning cookie banners under the GDPR. The three cases examine how organisations inform users about and obtain consent for cookies that involve the processing of personal data, including for purposes such as profiling and targeted advertising. IMY found that none […]

Swedish DPA Sends Questionnaire to 20 Organisations About the Right to Erasure

The Swedish Authority for Privacy Protection (IMY) is sending a questionnaire to 20 large organizations in both the public and private sectors to examine how they handle personal data deletion requests. This is part of a Europe-wide initiative led by the European Data Protection Board, involving 32 data protection supervisory authorities. IMY has deliberately selected […]

The Swedish Consumer Agency initiates audits against over 50 influencers and advertisers

The Swedish Consumer Agency (Sw. Konsumentverket) has announced that it has initiated audits against over 50 influencers and advertisers. According to the agency, many influencers fail to clearly label promotional content, thereby violating marketing laws and placing young audiences—who are particularly vulnerable to subtle advertising—at risk. Advertisers who engage these influencers are also under review. […]

EDPB Publishes Draft Guidelines on Blockchains

The European Data Protection Board (EDPB) has published its draft Guidelines 02/2025 on the processing of personal data through blockchain technologies. The guidelines aim to clarify how GDPR applies to blockchain-based data processing. The document is currently open for public consultation and may be subject to change before final adoption. Key excerpts from the draft […]