GC et al v CNIL: Balancing the right to be forgotten with the freedom of information, the duties of a search engine operator (C‑136/17 GC et al v CNIL)

Silvia de Conca

Research output: Contribution to journalCase noteScientificpeer-review

Abstract

Case C‑136/17 GC, AF, BH, ED v Commission nationale de l’informatique et des libertés (CNIL), Judgement of the Court of Justice of the European Union (Grand Chamber) of 24 September 2019
Search engine operators are confirmed to be controllers with regard to the processing necessary to create the search result list and the structured overview present under each result. In their quality as controllers, search engine operators are subject to the prohibition and exceptions concerning sensitive data as per Article 8 of Directive 95/46/EC and 9 of the GDPR, since no specific derogation exists. However, the extent of their obligations as controllers is peculiar in the case of sensitive data and is limited to assessments following the request of the data subjects, due to the nature of the technology involved which would make an a priori evaluation impossible. In complying with the right to be forgotten, search engine operators must carry out a balancing of the right to personal data protection with the freedom of expression and information. In this regard, the importance of the role of search engines in making information available is stressed. Furthermore, the right of the general public to research is deemed to be not only limited to current information but also to the past, although in this case the search engine operator should evaluate whether, due to the time passing, the information concerning offences and criminal convictions no longer reflect reality and the web pages reporting outdated information should either be de-listed or listed only after those pages reporting more updated circumstances.
Articles 8 and 9 of the Data Protection Directive; Articles 9, 10 and 17 of the General Data Protection Regulation; Articles 7, 8 and 11 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights; Articles 8 and 10 of the ECHR
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)561-567
Number of pages7
JournalEDPL
Volume5
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 13 Dec 2019

Court cases

CourtHof van Justitie EU
Date of judgement24/09/19
ECLI IDECLI:EU:C:2019:773
Case numberC-136/17

Keywords

  • GDPR
  • right to be forgotten
  • Search engines
  • sensitive data

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