ORGANISATION
The
Spanish Data Protection Agency (AEPD)
is the independent controlling authority that ensures the fulfilment of the regulations regarding data protection and guarantees and protects the fundamental right to the protection of data of a personal nature.
The organisation, which has been in existence for more than 13 years, acts fully independently of the public Administrations in the fulfilment of its functions.
The main functions of the Spanish Data Protection Agency are as follows:
- Ensure the fulfilment of the legislation regarding data protection and control its application, especially with regard to the rights of information, access, correction, opposition and cancellation of data
- Facilitate information to citizens via the General Data Protection Registry regarding existing files to enable them to know who may be treating their personal data.
- Authorise international transfers of data to countries that do not offer a level of data protection equivalent to that which exists in the EU and check that they are carried out with the due guarantees.
- Inform obligatorily regarding projected regulations to ensure that they guarantee the right to protection of personal data.
- Facilitate information to citizens regarding their rights via the Citizen Assistance Service and the Agency’s web page. (www.agpd.es)
- Promote knowledge of the data protection regulations in order to facilitate their fulfilment.
- Investigate possible data infringements and impose the legally contemplated sanctions
- Moreover, the AEPD has taken on new competences via the General Telecommunications Law and the Law regarding Information Society Services, the purpose of which is to protect the rights of subscribers and users in the scope of electronic communications and, in particular, with regard to the phenomenon of Junk Mail, known as Spam.
Structure of the AEPD
The basic structure of the AEPD distinguishes the following bodies:
- The Director
- Support unit: Legal Office, Deputy Director and International Area
- The Sub-directorate General for Registration
- The Sub-directorate General for Inspection
- The General Secretariat
Furthermore, the Director of the Data Protection Agency will be assessed by a Consultative Council formed by the following members:
- A Member of Parliament, proposed by the Spanish Congress.
- A Senator, proposed by the Spanish Senate
- A representative of the Central Administration, designated by the Government.
- A representative of the Local Administration, proposed by the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces
- A member of the Royal Academy of History, proposed by the same.
- An expert on the subject, proposed by the Higher Council of Universities..
- A representative of users and consumers.
- A representative of each Autonomous Community that has created a data protection agency in its territorial sphere. .
- A representative of the private files sector.
For more information please, visit the website of AEPD
