Dr Wojciech Wiewiórowski from Legal IT Department of the Faculty of Law and Administration of the University of Gdańsk has been appointed by LIBE Commission of the European Parliament as the European Data Protection Supervisor. On 28 November, 2019 this choice was approved by the Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament and COREPER 2 Council, who are jointly responsible for the selection of the Supervisor.
This year in December, when dr Wiewiórowski becomes the European Data Protection Supervisor, he will be the highest ranking Polish official within the EU structure whose post was filled through open competition, not through national parity and political support.
Dr Wojciech Wiewiórowski graduated from the Faculty of Law and Administration of the University of Gdańsk. In 2000 he received an academic degree of PhD of Law. In 2003 he became the Assistant Professor and the Head of, newly-formed, Legal IT Department. In 2006 he was nominated as the Advisor for Computerization of the Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration. He held that post till 2008, when he became the Head of The Computerization Department of the above mentioned Ministry. In 2010 the Polish Parliament (Sejm) appointed him the Inspector General for Personal Data Protection. In July, 2014 he was appointed for his second term in this post. He declined this post in December that year to become Assistant European Data Protection Supervisor. Since August this year he has been acting as the European Data Protection Supervisor.
The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) is an independent supervisory authority whose primary objective is to ensure that European institutions and bodies respect the right to privacy and data protection when they process personal data and develop new policies.
The EDPS:
- Supervises the EU administration's processing of personal data to ensure compliance with privacy rules
- Advises EU institutions and bodies on all aspects of personal data processing and related policies and legislation
- Handles complaints and conducts inquiries
- Works with the national authorities of EU countries to ensure consistency in data protection
- Monitors new technologies that might have an impact on data protection.
The Supervisor and Assistant Supervisor are appointed for renewable 5-year terms of office. For everyday operations, the EDPS comprises 2 main entities:
- Supervision and Enforcement - evaluates data protection compliance by EU institutions and bodies.
- Policy and Consultation - advises EU legislators on data protection issues in various policy areas and new legislative proposals.
Translation: Adam Myzyk
