In a world where streaming dominates entertainment, DAZN has found itself in a different kind of spotlight – a privacy controversy lasting almost five years.
A Timeline of the DAZN Case
2018: Privacy Regulations and Right to Access
When the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) was introduced in May 2018, it promised enhanced data protection rights for users. Among these rights was the “right of access”, which allows users to request a copy of all personal data a company holds about them. Ideally, companies should process such requests within a month.
The privacy advocacy group, noyb, decided to test the waters. Their target? Streaming services. And the results were less than stellar. Not one streaming service was fully compliant with GDPR. DAZN, however, stood out from the crowd – by not even acknowledging the access requests filed by users in September 2018.
2019: Legal Battles Begin
Frustrated with the inaction, noyb took the issue to the Austrian data protection authority, initiating a lengthy legal tussle that stretched on for years.
2023: An Epic Conclusion
Fast forward to 2023, DAZN’s reluctance, combined with the Austrian data protection authority’s repeated inaction, pushed the cases to the Austrian Federal Administrative Court. Throughout the legal journey, DAZN provided the requested information in bits and pieces, drawing out the process.
But on September 6, 2023, a decision finally came through. DAZN had provided all the information except one key detail – the contact details of those who had received user data. After being ordered by the court, DAZN complied on September 13, 2023.
The Bigger Picture
Marco Blocher, a Data Protection Lawyer at noyb, voiced his frustration. “After five years of GDPR, it’s disheartening to see companies either partially or entirely ignoring the right of access. Instead of swift fines for non-compliance, they’re granted numerous chances over extended legal battles.” He suggests a change in approach, comparing it to the immediacy of speeding tickets, which if applied, could streamline compliance and reduce legal hassles.
The conclusion of DAZN’s case might have brought some relief, but the broader scenario remains concerning. Enforcing data protection rights is a herculean task in reality. With about 400 of noyb’s cases pending for over two years, DAZN’s episode is a mere drop in the ocean.
So, while the curtain has fallen on this particular saga, the broader narrative about the challenges of enforcing data protection continues. And for the discerning user, the question remains – just how protected is our data?
