Publication of available lists of debtors for housing, utilities violates laws on personal data protection – Commissioner's office

KYIV. Aug 27 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Distribution of lists of debtors with names, addresses, personal account numbers and amounts owed by suppliers of housing and communal services and asset holders of houses violates current legislation, the Verkhovna Rada Human Rights Commissioner said.

"The totality of data on the numbers of personal accounts, addresses, amounts of debtors’ debt in the understanding of the Law of Ukraine on the Protection of Personal Data are personal data, therefore they are subject to general requirements for the processing of personal data," the Verkhovna Rada Human Rights Commissioner said, commenting on numerous complaints from citizen concerning the release of the lists.

As explained in the office, under Article 32 of the Constitution of Ukraine, no one can be subject to interference in his personal and family life, except in cases provided for by the Constitution of Ukraine. It is not allowed to collect, store, use and distribute confidential information about a person without his consent, except in cases determined by law, and only in the interests of national security, economic welfare and human rights.

According to the decision of the Constitutional Court, information about a person’s personal and family life is any information or a set of information about an individual who is identified or can be specifically identified. Such information is confidential and can be disseminated only with their consent, except in cases determined by law.

"Taking into account the above, posting such information in the free access is a violation of legislation in the field of personal data protection and entails administrative responsibility," the office said.