Sensitive personal data containing information about citizens’ private lives is being published on the Public Registry’s website. For two days now, personal data of employees from the Coalition for Independent Living has been publicly accessible in the database created under the so-called “Russian Law”.
Notably, the Constitutional Court’s decision to refuse suspension of the “Russian Law” cited the Public Registry’s position that they did not intend to publish sensitive personal information:
“According to the representative of the public institution, only financial declarations, founding documents, statutes, and latest extracts of subjects are subject to publication in the registry, while information requested within the scope of registration proceedings and monitoring is not subject to publication.” – Constitutional Court decision, paragraph 57.
Dea Eremashvili, a former employee of the coalition, learned from a friend yesterday that her personal data had become accessible to any citizen of the country. Concurrently, Dea leads the Alliance of Women with Disabilities. Her organization, like hundreds of others, protests the “Russian Law” and considers it unconstitutional.
Londa Toloraia, former State Inspector, and head of the NGO “Rule of Law Center”, explains to Maisi.News that publishing such data contradicts the law on personal data protection.
“We have requested information about public sector employees, their salaries and bonuses several times, but were refused by the state on the grounds that it’s personal data and cannot be disclosed. So, what does this mean – that the law on personal data is protected in the case of public service, but doesn’t protect those employed in the non-governmental sector?!” says Toloraia.
Besides Eremashvili, personal data of more than ten current and former coalition employees is publicly available. Among them is Ketevan Khomeriki. Speaking to Maisi.News, she expresses feeling vulnerable – “My personal information is publicly accessible to anyone from any country in the world who has internet access. I feel helpless. It feels like the state has stripped me naked. Something unimaginable has happened. Even in the most utopian scenario, I couldn’t have believed that personal information of hundreds of people, especially those working on human rights, would be so publicly available in a country that claims to be a democracy.” – says Keti Khomeriki, former coalition employee and doctoral student.
According to her, the government has humiliated its citizens with this action – “The organizations registered in the registry were working with the most vulnerable people. So this government has also sacrificed the very people on whom they built their entire hate-filled election campaign. I hope every member of the Constitutional Court will be ashamed of their decision.” – Khomeriki adds.
Maisi.News contacted the Personal Data Protection Service to inquire if an investigation has been initiated. The press center informed us that an investigation is ongoing. The information will be updated upon receiving a response from the service.
Meanwhile, today, October 17, 120 civil society organizations, 16 media organizations, and 4 individuals appealed the “Russian Law” to the European Court of Human Rights – for details, see Maisi.News’ update.