Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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255. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her Department or officials have had any discussion with the Data Protection Commission on the implication of new technology such as smart glasses for data protection; her views on whether new legislation is necessary to protect individual rights in this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21553/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy may be aware, while the Data Protection Commission comes under the aegis of my Department in respect of the provision of funding and resources, the Commission itself, under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018, is completely independent in the performance of its tasks and the exercise of its powers. It does not report to my Department, nor has my Department any oversight or enforcement powers in relation to the Commission.

It is important to remember that regardless of the technology, in this case ‘smart glasses’, data subjects continue to retain their rights under the GDPR and the Data Protection Act, 2018. Similarly, data controllers and processors must continue to comply with their obligations under the same legislation when engaged in the processing of data.

I can assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to closely monitor and analyse developments in this area.