NEWSROOM

We wish you and your loved ones a merry Christmas, happiness, and success in the New Year!

Thank you for your confidence in us and the successful cooperation this year. We look forward to doing business with you again in 2025.

EDPB introduces new draft guidelines on legitimate interest

Although it was already implemented in the practice of most national Data Protection Authorities, no unified guidelines have been issued since the entry into force of the GDPR on "legitimate interest" as a lawful basis for processing personal data. On 8 October 2024, the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) released a draft clarifying how organizations can rely on "legitimate interest" as a lawful basis for processing personal data under GDPR. This update is particularly relevant for businesses engaged in data processing activities such as direct marketing or AI model training.

Database of building materials to be set up in Hungary

In November 2024, multiple sources reported that the Hungarian government is considering the introduction of significant construction regulations in 2026, based on a leaked draft.

Not Every Data Breach Leads to Fines: EU Court Clarifies GDPR Enforcement

The European Court of Justice (CJEU) has clarified that national data protection authorities are not obligated to impose fines or other sanctions automatically in every case of a data breach under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). In Germany, a savings bank discovered that an employee had repeatedly accessed a customer’s personal data without authorization. The bank took disciplinary action, obtained assurances from the employee, and reported the breach to the Hessen Data Protection Commissioner, but chose not to inform the customer, considering the risk low. After learning of the breach, the customer filed a complaint seeking stricter action, but the Commissioner declined to impose sanctions, citing the bank’s corrective measures. Unsatisfied, the customer escalated the case to a German court, which sought the CJEU’s interpretation of the GDPR.

Breaking barriers: gender balance in corporate leadership

Hungary is gearing up for a groundbreaking shift in corporate governance, with the proposed law aimed at improving gender representation in leadership positions at publicly traded companies. By implementing the relevant EU directive, the proposed law does not only seek to address long-standing gender imbalances but still promotes greater access of women to the labor market participation.

Parliament to discuss amendments to several major laws at the end of the year

The Hungarian Parliament is debating several major laws at the end of 2024, including amendments to the Act on the election of the Members of the Parliament (‘Election Act’), another amendment to the Fundamental Law of Hungary and new rules on hate speech.

Autumn tax package in Hungary

The Hungarian Parliament approved the autumn tax package on 26 November 2024. The amendments introduce significant changes to direct and indirect taxes alike, the most important changes are summarized below.

Celebrating Civil Aviation day and 80 Years of the Chicago Convention!

Last week, KCG Partners – with Eszter Kamocsay-Berta, Gabriella Galik, Rita Parkanyi, Levente Csengery and Bálint Zsoldos - had the honor of attending a remarkable event commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Chicago Convention on Civil Aviation—a landmark moment in the history of global aviation.

More flexibility in paternity leave

On 29 October 2024, the Hungarian Ministry of National Economy announced that new laws are submitted to the Parliament to increase the period available for requesting paternity leave. As of 2023, the number of paternity leave days was increased from 5 to 10 and the current proposal would go further and give fathers more flexibility in taking paternity leave, with options to split their leave days across different periods.

CEELM Winter Gala

Rita Párkányi and László Madák, partners of KCG Partners Law Firm, attended the CEE Legal Matters 2024 Winter Gala.