Article: The Newly Formed Right of Access in Georgian Data Protection Law and the Distant Echo of the GDPR

Georgia has recently adopted a new data protection law, marking a significant step towards aligning its national regulations with international standards. This legislation introduces significant changes and strengthens protections for data subjects. While the Georgian law shares many similarities with the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), it is crucial to recognize the differences, as these may shape the interpretation and enforcement of data subject rights. Understanding these nuances is essential for both data controllers and processors. This article discusses the newly established right of access in Georgian data protection law from both theoretical and practical perspectives. To ensure the right of access is effective for data subjects, data controllers must implement specific procedures that guarantee transparency and efficiency when responding to access requests. This includes facilitating clear contact methods, maintaining effective data management systems, and providing timely and comprehensible responses within legal timeframes. Additionally, when collecting data, controllers must ensure that data subjects are provided with all necessary information in compliance with data protection laws.