RGPD

I. Introduction

On June 20, 2018, France adopted Law No. 2018-493 on the protection of personal data to implement the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This law revises and consolidates the 1978 Data Protection Act.

The National Commission for Information Technology and Civil Liberties (CNIL), as the national supervisory authority, is responsible for overseeing, guiding, and enforcing the GDPR and its implementing texts in France. Thus, France has equipped itself with a personal data protection system that complies with the requirements of the European Union.

II. Scope

The GDPR implementing regulations in France apply to:

any data controller or processor established in French territory;

any organization located outside of France offering goods or services to individuals in France, or monitoring their behavior within French territory.

Regardless of where the processing is carried out, as long as it concerns personal data of individuals located in France, the law applies. It covers automated processing as well as non-automated processing that is part of a filing system. Activities of an exclusively personal or domestic nature do not fall within its scope.

III. Principles of Data Processing

Lawfulness, fairness, and transparency: all processing must be based on a clear legal basis and conducted transparently.

Purpose limitation: data can only be used for specified and legitimate purposes.

Data minimization: only strictly necessary data should be collected.

Accuracy: data must be accurate and regularly updated.

Storage limitation: data should only be kept for the strictly necessary period, then deleted or anonymized.

Security and confidentiality: appropriate technical and organizational measures must be put in place to prevent any breach, alteration, or loss of data.

IV. Rights of Data Subjects

In accordance with the GDPR and French law, individuals have the following rights:

Right to information and access;

Right to rectification;

Right to erasure (right to be forgotten);

Right to restriction of processing;

Right to data portability;

Right to object.

For minors under 15 years old, processing their data requires the consent of a parent or legal guardian, and information must be provided to them in clear and understandable language.

V. Obligations of the Sub-processor

Sub-processors must:

strictly follow the written instructions of the data controller;

implement adequate security measures;

assist the data controller in fulfilling their obligations, particularly in responding to data subject requests;

notify the data controller without delay in case of a data breach, which must then inform the CNIL within 72 hours.

Data controllers must maintain a record of processing activities and conduct a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) in case of high risk. Some organizations must also appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO) and register with the CNIL.

VI. International Data Transfers

When a transfer to a country outside the EU is planned, the data controller must ensure an adequate level of protection. This can be done via:

an adequacy decision by the European Commission;

or the signing of Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs).

Since the invalidation of the "Privacy Shield" on July 16, 2020, French entities must use the new Standard Contractual Clauses adopted on June 4, 2021, or any other legal mechanism.

VII. Control and Enforcement

The CNIL has extensive powers, including:

issuing warnings or formal notices;

limiting or prohibiting certain processing operations;

imposing fines of up to 20 million euros or 4% of global turnover, whichever is higher.

French law also allows individuals to set guidelines regarding the use of their data after their death. Failing this, processing must comply with current regulations. The French framework for implementing the GDPR aims to guarantee individual rights, strengthen corporate compliance, and promote trust in the digital environment.