Protection of personal data

• Author: European Commission
• Pages: 18-18

Page 18

Personal data are sometimes requested when you conclude a contract for the purchase of goods or services in another EU country (e.g. purchasing an airline ticket or taking out an insurance policy).

Most Member States have rules covering the protection of personal data which aim at preventing the use of this data in a way that is detrimental to your privacy, but the scope and arrangements for such protection vary from one country to another.

The European Union has a duty to guarantee the free movement of data while protecting individuals against any violation of their privacy. These guarantees cover, in particular, the right to be informed about the use to which the data is put, the right to challenge data and, in certain cases, the right to give prior agreement on the use of personal data. To find out the details of the Community or national rules in force, you should apply to the independent bodies responsible for the protection of personal data in each Member State for any help you may require.

For further information, please also consult the guide "Data protection in the European Union".