RGPD
I. Introduction
On June 20, 2018, France adopted Law no. 2018-493 relating to the protection of personal data, in order to implement the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This law revises and consolidates the 1978 Data Protection Act.
The National Commission for Information Technology and Civil Liberties (CNIL), as the national supervisory authority, is responsible for overseeing, guiding, and enforcing the GDPR and its implementing texts in France.
Thus, France has established a personal data protection system compliant with the requirements of the European Union.
II. Scope of Application
The GDPR implementing regulations in France apply to:
any controller or processor established on French territory;
any organization located outside France offering goods or services to individuals located in France, or monitoring their behavior on French territory.
Regardless of where processing is carried out, as soon as it concerns personal data of individuals located in France, the law applies.
It covers automated processing as well as non-automated processing forming part of a filing system.
Activities of an exclusively personal or domestic nature do not fall within its scope.
III. Data Processing Principles
Lawfulness, fairness, and transparency: all processing must be based on a clear legal basis and conducted transparently.
Purpose limitation: data may only be used for specified and legitimate purposes.
Data minimization: only strictly necessary data should be collected.
Accuracy: data must be accurate and updated regularly.
Storage limitation: data should only be kept for the strictly necessary duration, then deleted or anonymized.
Security and confidentiality: appropriate technical and organizational measures must be implemented to prevent any breach, alteration, or loss of data.
IV. Data Subject Rights
In accordance with the GDPR and French law, individuals have the following rights:
Right to information and access;
Right to rectification;
Right to erasure (right to be forgotten);
Right to restriction of processing;
Right to data portability;
Right to object.
For minors under 15, the processing of their data requires the consent of a parent or legal guardian, and information must be provided to them in clear and understandable language.
V. Obligations of Processors
Processors must:
strictly adhere to the written instructions of the controller;
implement adequate security measures;
assist the controller in fulfilling their obligations, particularly in responding to data subject requests;
notify the controller without undue delay in the event of a data breach, with the controller then required to inform the CNIL within 72 hours.
Controllers must maintain a record of processing activities and carry out a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) in cases of high risk.
Certain organizations must also appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO) and register with the CNIL.
VI. International Data Transfers
When a transfer to a country outside the EU is envisaged, the controller must ensure an adequate level of protection. This can be done via:
an adequacy decision from the European Commission;
or the signing of Standard Contractual Clauses (SCC).
Since the invalidation of the "Privacy Shield" on July 16, 2020, French entities must use the new Standard Contractual Clauses adopted on June 4, 2021, or any other legal mechanism.
VII. Control and Enforcement
The CNIL has extensive powers, including:
issuing warnings or formal notices;
limiting or prohibiting certain processing activities;
imposing fines of up to 20 million euros or 4% of worldwide turnover, whichever is higher.
French law also allows individuals to set out directives concerning the use of their data after their death. Failing this, processing must comply with current regulations.
The French framework for GDPR implementation aims to guarantee individuals' rights, strengthen corporate compliance, and promote trust in the digital environment.
VIII. Contact
Address: 38 Rue Jacques Louvel-Tessier, 75010 Paris, France
Customer service number: +33 6 19 58 68 87
Email: info@oliviaderevel.com
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