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Watchdog denies claims that complaint into alleged massive data breach by Google not properly investigated

Summary

In the High Court, Dr Johnny Ryan, a senior fellow of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, sought judicial review against the Data Protection Commission (DPC), alleging it failed to adequately investigate a 2018 complaint regarding Google's alleged 'Real Time Bidding' data processing. Dr Ryan claimed the DPC breached the 2018 Data Protection Act and GDPR by not investigating with due diligence. The DPC, represented by Joe Jeffers SC, denied all claims, asserting it opened a voluntary inquiry in 2019 that remains ongoing. It argued the proceedings were time-barred and premature, maintaining that its investigative discretion is not amenable to judicial review. Dr Ryan, represented by James Doherty SC and Sean O'Sullivan BL, countered that the DPC had not complied with its GDPR obligations to investigate how Google gathered and distributed personal data. He noted a similar complaint concerning IAB Europe was processed by the Belgian Data Protection Authority. Google, a notice party, stated it would not actively participate. Mr Justice Garrett Simons heard submissions and indicated he intends to reserve his decision, to be returned at a later date. The matter was adjourned, with the hearing continuing.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Watchdog denies claims that complaint into alleged massive data breach by Google not properly investigated. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• May 2019 Other
• 2023-07-27 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

Read the original CNI report