PS (Adresse erronee) (Protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data - Protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data - Right to compensation for damage caused by data processing that infringes that regulation - Concept of 'non-material damage' - Judgment) [2024] EUECJ C-590/22 (20 June 2024)

PS (Adresse erronee) (Protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data - Protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data - Right to compensation for damage caused by data processing that infringes that regulation - Concept of 'non-material damage' - Judgment) [2024] EUECJ C-590/22 (20 June 2024)

Article 82(1) GDPR does not grant a right to compensation for mere infringement; actual damage must be proven, but no threshold of seriousness is required. Fear of data disclosure can be compensable if proven with negative consequences. Criteria for administrative fines and deterrent/punitive purposes do not apply to compensation assessment. Simultaneous breach of national law not specifying GDPR rules does not affect compensation under Article 82(1).

Citation
[2024] EUECJ C-590/22
Parties
Applicant: AT; Applicant: BT; Respondent: PS GbR; Respondent: VG; Respondent: MB; Respondent: DH; Respondent: WB; Respondent: GS
Jurisdiction
European Union
Judgment Date
20 June 2024
Procedural Posture
Preliminary Ruling (cjeu) / Judgment on Reference
Outcome
Questions answered; guidance provided to referring court.
Legal Topics
GDPR Article 82, Compensation for Non Material Damage, Personal Data Breach, Criteria for Damages Assessment, Interaction With National Law
Data Protection European Union Law GDPR Article 82 Compensation for Non Material Damage Personal Data Breach Criteria for Damages Assessment Interaction With National Law

Case Brief

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Parties

AT

Applicant

BT

Applicant

PS GbR

Respondent

VG

Respondent

MB

Respondent

DH

Respondent

WB

Respondent

GS

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Preliminary Ruling (cjeu) / Judgment on Reference

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether infringement of GDPR alone gives right to compensation under Article 82(1)
  2. 2 Whether non-material damage must reach a certain seriousness
  3. 3 Whether fear of data disclosure constitutes compensable damage

Ratio Decidendi

Article 82(1) GDPR does not grant a right to compensation for mere infringement; actual damage must be proven, but no threshold of seriousness is required. Fear of data disclosure can be compensable if proven with negative consequences. Criteria for administrative fines and deterrent/punitive purposes do not apply to compensation assessment. Simultaneous breach of national law not specifying GDPR rules does not affect compensation under Article 82(1).

Court Disposition

Questions answered; guidance provided to referring court.

Orders

  • Article 82(1) GDPR requires proof of damage caused by infringement, not mere infringement.
  • No seriousness threshold for non-material damage under Article 82(1) GDPR.