The Hamburg Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information ('HmbBfDI') released, on 25 February 2021, its 2020 activity report. In particular, the report highlights some of the key developments from 2020, including: data protection issues stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, such as those related to recording contact tracing data and video conferencing systems; fine proceedings of €35.3 million issued against H&M Online Shop AB & Co. KG for violations of employee data protection; data transfers following the European Union's judgment in Data Protection Commissioner v. Facebook Ireland Limited, Maximillian Schrems (C-311/18); police access to databases containing personal data;
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Hamburg: HmbBfDI releases 2020 activity report
March 8, 2021
Summary
The Hamburg Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information (HmbBfDI) released its 2020 activity report, highlighting key issues such as COVID-19 related data protection challenges, a significant fine against H&M for employee data violations, implications of the EU's Schrems II judgment on data transfers, unauthorized photography complaints, and an increase in data breaches, mainly due to human error. The report also noted a rise in complaints from 2,527 in 2019 to 2,978 in 2020, and a doubling of data breaches due to hacking.