- Enforcing jurisdiction
- Germany · Geography does not establish applicable law.
- Confirmed applicable legislation
- No confirmed legal basis recorded.
- Privacy topics
Police officer – €400 Fine (Germany, 2021)
Privacy enforcement record
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A police officer accessed police databases for personal reasons, looking up a seller's information to negotiate a payment method. This misuse of police resources is a serious issue because it shows how sensitive data can be improperly handled. The officer was fined EUR 400 for violating data protection rules.
What happened
A police officer used a police information system to obtain personal data about a seller for private research.
Who was affected
The seller whose personal information was accessed by the police officer.
What the authority found
The authority found that the officer violated data protection rules by accessing data without a valid reason.
Why this matters
This case highlights the importance of proper data access protocols, even for law enforcement. It serves as a reminder for all organizations to ensure their employees use data responsibly.
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A police officer had accessed data in police databases for private research purposes. The officer had purchased a notebook for private use on an Internet platform. Since the seller did not agree to negotiations about the method of payment, the officer used a police information system to obtain information about the seller. The police officer then sent several messages to the seller in which he provided him with certain personal data, that he had obtained through his research in the police database. The goal was to reinforce his demand for an alternative payment method by mentioning the information obtained.
Related Enforcement Actions (14)
Other enforcement actions involving Police officer in DE
Details
Fine Date
1 January 2021
Authority
Bundesbeauftragter für den Datenschutz
Fine Amount
€400
About this data
Cite as: Cookie Fines. Police officer - Germany (2021). Retrieved from cookiefines.eu
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