Study into the evolution of the sanction regulations in data protection legislation

Authors

  • Artemi Rallo Lombarte

Keywords:

Data protection, privacy, enforcement

Abstract

Spanish data protection law provides the most severe sanctioning regime in Europe. Since 1992, this effective protection of this fundamental right has been sustained in inspections, investigations and, where appropriate, sanctions of all complaints lodge into the Data Protection Spanish Agency. However, with the 1999 and 2011 legislative reforms, this strict sanctioning system would be balanced by a preventive strategy which stimulates effective enforcement of such legislation. This paper analyzes both the legal evolution of this system and the AEPD enforcement activity illustrating the justification and effects of successive reforms of the data protection law.