Privacy in the EU Institutions

Opinion of 24 July 2009 on a notification for prior checking regarding applications to work part time (Case 2009-322)
On 24 July 2009, the EDPS adopted an opinion on the prior checking of the handling of applications to work part time at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). This was a true prior check, relating to the adoption by the EESC of a new procedure on part-time work. The EDPS notes the information notice drawn up by the EESC on the protection of the data of members of staff in connection with this application procedure for part-time work. He recommends that the notice should be amended, in particular to make reference to the new procedure for part-time work, and to lay down that the official/staff member should tell any family members whose data are communicated as justification for the application to work part-time that they have a right of access to the data concerning them. The EDPS also recommends that if authorisation to work part-time is refused and the opinion of the Joint Committee has to be obtained, the person concerned should be allowed access to the Joint Committee's opinion for the data concerning him or her.

Opinion of 23 July 2009 on the notification for prior checking regarding the "selection procedures for the recruitment of officials, temporary staff and contract staff" case (Case 2008-313)

On 23 July 2009 the EDPS adopted an opinion regarding the prior checking of selection procedures for the recruitment of officials, temporary staff and contract staff to the Court of Auditors of the European Communities. Since the data processing operation is intended to evaluate personal aspects relating to the data subject, including his or her ability, efficiency and conduct, it is subject to prior checking.

The competition unit of the Court of Auditors introduced a set of procedures for the recruitment of officials, temporary staff and contract staff. These selection procedures serve to establish lists of successful candidates in order to assist Court of Auditors departments in the recruitment of officials and other staff.

The EDPS considers that the proposed processing does not appear to involve any infringement of the provisions of Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 provided that certain comments are taken into account. In particular, it recommends that the Court review its data storage policy for the files of candidates who have not been selected and that it store reserve lists/lists of successful candidates in competitions and other selection procedures in compliance with Article 4(1)(e). The EDPS also stressed the importance of the information to be supplied to data subjects in the notices of competition/screening, as well as the need to make the communication of results intelligible.

Answer to a notification for prior checking concerning "Security Access System" (Case 2009-382)

Analysis of the EDPS on a consultation on processing of personal data in the frame of pandemic procedure at ECB (2009-456)