Article 59 of the GDPR: Activity reports of supervisory authorities

· By Équipe DCO · 1 min read

Article 59 of the GDPR: Activity reports of supervisory authorities

Article 59 of the GDPR Explained

Each supervisory authority must report publicly:

  • The types of complaints received and sanctions imposed;
  • The controls and investigations conducted;
  • The recommendations and guidelines published;
  • Its participation in the work of the European Data Protection Board (EDPB).

These reports contribute to the transparency and evaluation of the effectiveness of data protection policies.

Why is this article important for your GDPR compliance?

Activity reports provide a valuable source of information to anticipate authorities' priorities, understand trends regarding inspections and sanctions, and adapt your own compliance efforts.

How to Comply with GDPR Article 59

  • Consult annually the report published by your supervisory authority (e.g., the French supervisory authority for France);
  • Identify priority control areas (teleworking, cookies, cybersecurity…);
  • Adapt your internal procedures based on the observations and recommendations made;
  • Monitor lessons learned from your sector of activity.

GDPR Article 59 Application Examples

  • The French supervisory authority publishes a report indicating an increase in complaints related to video surveillance;
  • A company adjusts its cookie policy after becoming aware of the audit priorities for the year;
  • A DPO analyses the decisions rendered to prepare an internal action plan.

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