Joris Deene
Many data protection complaints do not arise in a vacuum; they are often intertwined with an underlying conflict with an employer, an ex-partner or, as in a recent case, a co-worker. The question is: Should the...
Can you file a descriptive anti-counterfeiting seizure if a former employee copies your software?
An ex-employee starting a competitive business is a classic nightmare for any technology company. Especially when it happens suspiciously fast. An order from the president of Dutch...
What does the DPA's 2026-2028 strategic plan teach us?
The Data Protection Authority (GBA) has published its strategic plan for 2026-2028. The GBA is facing an increasing number of cases and a wave of new, complex European legislation, but at the same time...
Can a minor give permission to an influencer to use her images on his TikTok channel?
An influencer films minors for ‘challenges’ and posts it online without permission, resulting in severe harassment. The correctional court in Ghent ruled in a verdict dated Oct. 27, 2025...
Can a government agency prohibit a private company from using the same name?
Imagine this: the name or acronym of your government department or NPO, which you have used for years, is suddenly used prominently by a commercial company. You fear reputational damage and public confusion and...
Is a ‘thumbs up’ emoji (👍) enough to close a contract?
In the digital age, business communications happen at lightning speed via email, Teams or WhatsApp. But what if one of your employees answers a detailed proposal with only a ‘thumbs up’ (👍)...
What is the ‘Cloud Sovereignty Framework?
The European Commission has published a new ‘Cloud Sovereignty Framework,’ a document that transforms a vague political term - ‘sovereignty’ - into a concrete, measurable...
Government IT procurement: how to avoid ‘vendor lock-in’ and other pitfalls?
The digitization of government is irreversible. From SaaS solutions and hardware purchases to the development of complex custom applications, ICT is crucial to modern public service delivery. Yet...
Can you file a complaint with the DPA to achieve other goals?
Filing a complaint with the Data Protection Authority (GBA) is a fundamental right for any citizen who believes his or her personal data is being mishandled. But what if that complaint actually serves ...
Can I lose my Union trademark by using only in the United Kingdom?
Yes, since Jan. 1, 2021, commercial use of a Union trademark (EUTM) in the United Kingdom no longer counts as ‘genuine use’ within the European Union. A ruling by the president of the...
Receiving unsolicited political e-mail: why is the DPA dismissing my complaint?
You receive unsolicited political advertising via e-mail. You file a complaint with the Data Protection Authority (GBA), but to your surprise, the case is dismissed. A decision by the GBA dated Oct. 20, 2025 (no...
When is an online platform liable for copyright infringement by a user?
An online learning platform, forum or online marketplace is flooded with content uploaded by users. What if a user posts material that violates someone else's copyright? The question of who ...
May an online platform publish my professional data without permission?
You are a physician, physical therapist or other healthcare provider and discover that your professional information (name, address, phone number) is on a commercial online platform. You never consented to this and...
How do crypto companies circumvent anti-money laundering rules?
Crypto firms have in the past taken advantage of fragmented European regulations to circumvent anti-money laundering (AML/CFT) controls. A recent and incisive report by the European Banking Authority...
What is the difference between a FRIA and a DPIA?
The arrival of the European AI Act (or "AI Regulation") introduces a wave of new obligations for organizations developing or using artificial intelligence. Central to these new rules ...
Can a DPA fine of €100,000 be reduced by the Market Cour to €5,000?
If a telecom operator leaves a request for access to personal data unanswered for 14 months, the Data Protection Authority (GBA) can impose a substantial fine. The question, however, is whether a...
Will AI render you invisible as an author?
Artificial intelligence (AI) like ChatGPT is trained with your creations, but does it also respect your fundamental rights as an author? The conflict between AI and copyright is not always about money, but often...
Can a RAG system reduce the GDPR risks of your enterprise AI?
Generative AI such as ChatGPT is here to stay, but for many companies the question still gnaws at them: how do we use this powerful technology without the strict rules of the General Regulation...
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