There are only a few months left before the implementation of the the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The GDPR takes effect on May 25th, 2018, and entails a wide range of obligations for all enterprises of all sizes regarding the protection of personal data. If these obligations are not complied with or are not fulfilled adequately, severe penalties may be imposed. This will also apply to private accomodation rental.
Why do we need data protection?
Digitalisation is advancing rapidly. As a consequence, an enormous amount of personal data is being collected, stored and processed. Just think of social media such as Facebook or Google or internet giants like Apple and Amazon. But they are not the only ones collecting and storing data. Neary every enterprise processes personal data, including those renting out private accomodation. The data could be, for example, employees’ data or files on guests, both kept by hand or electronically.
In Europe at least, everyone has a right to the protection of their personal data. In Austria there has been a Data Protection Law since 1978. In the EU a Data Protection Directive exists since 1995.
But in 1995 there was no such thing as Google or all those others. So the aim of the EU is to standardise the protection of personal data within the EU to a much greater extent, to adapt to the new situation and to strengthen the rights of those individuals whose data is being stored.
In order to achieve these targets, the General Data Protection Regulation was adopted. It makes data protection the responsibility of the enterprises themselves, meaning enterprises are obliged to make sure that the personal data they process is protected from misuse, loss and alteration. This means that by May 25th, 2018, all enterprises have to ensure that the obligations prescribed by the GDPR are implemented. This involves a large amount of time and effort.
Lawyers Georg Huber and Melanie Gassler-Tischlinger took a close look at this issue. Their report is contained in an article in the Tyrolean Business Magazine eco.nova: Datenschutz – auch für Privatzimmervermieter wichtig (PDF)
Foto: ©Blickfang (Julia Türtscher)
