The repeated violation of personal data protection following the announcement of the results of the Pancyprian Examinations is highlighted by MEP Costas Mavridis (DIKO – S&D), pointing out that despite the strong European legal framework, the competent institutions continue to passively monitor the organized and repeated violation of European legislation.
As Mr. Mavridis points out, in the recent national exams in public universities in Cyprus, the publication of the results concerns only a four-digit number for each successful candidate, which no one else should know. With the publication of the results, the same organized and repeated violation of European legislation for the protection of personal data by the same party offenders was repeated this year. From the morning of the same day, parents, guardians and successful candidates became recipients of phone calls from specific party factions for party interconnection. This has been happening for years and despite complaints, the institutions involved and especially the Commissioner for Personal Data Protection have not found a way to resolve it and is not exercising his powers for this specific case involving parties.
Referring to the responsibilities of the Commissioner for Personal Data Protection, Mr. Mavridis noted:
"Since 2001, European legislation has been in force in Cyprus, which has strengthened with significant powers (2018) the competent Commissioner, who can intervene preventively, conduct on-site investigations and inspections, issue instructions and, in addition, intervene ex officio and thoroughly examine complaints, imposing sanctions. In fact, he can refer to the Attorney General any violation that may constitute a criminal offense for omissions or non-compliance."
Continuing, the Cypriot MEP pointed out that "In this case of violation, the facts have been blaring for years, often from the two well-known party bodies who of course remain "silent". However, the tolerance of the institutions involved is also woeful, since there was NO preventive action, nor was there an ex post facto investigation. Whether the circumstances required preventive intervention to protect the victims, or even an ex post facto investigation, everyone in Cyprus can assess it, but the competent Commissioner had a different opinion this year as well. After my initiative to report the violation and after I explained that without an adequate response I would forward the matter to the competent EU bodies, and after the matter gained media coverage and many complaints emerged from parents and organized groups, including Parents' Associations, the Commissioner issued a statement that "the matter has been placed under investigation." The statement notes in advance - without conducting any investigation - that "this is a complex and multidimensional issue"!
Concluding, Mr. K. Mavridis emphasized: "If this attitude provides the guarantees for an in-depth investigation, which will reveal the primary perpetrators of the violation and assign responsibilities where they exist, that is now the question."
