Belarus sets up national personal data protection center

Belarus gives green light to its national personal data protection center. The move is stipulated by Decree No. 422 “On Measures to Improve Personal Data Protection”, which Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko signed on 28 October.

The document is issued to follow up on law No. 99-3 of 7 May 2021 “On Personal Data Protection”.

The decree invests the national center with the status of an authorized body to protect the rights of the subjects of personal data. The document defines its main rights, tasks, functions and powers.

In particular, the center is empowered to verify compliance with personal data legislation, to make written demands (prescriptions) to eliminate identified violations, to demand termination of personal data processing if other ways cannot ensure protection of the rights of personal data subjects.

In addition, the decree establishes additional measures related to personal data protection. These include, for example, the need to undergo special training for individuals whose duties include personal data protection and the obligation to keep records of personal data to be processed by state agencies and other organizations.

The implementation of the decree will increase the protection of personal data in the state and ensure fuller realization of the constitutional right of citizens to protection from unlawful interference with privacy.