12/10/2019
CURIA - Documents
present state of things, being linked with his or her name by a list of results displayed following a
search carried out on the basis of that name.
78
It must, however, be added that, even if the operator of a search engine were to find that that is not the
case because the inclusion of the link in question is strictly necessary for reconciling the data subject’s
rights to privacy and protection of personal data with the freedom of information of potentially
interested internet users, the operator is in any event required, at the latest on the occasion of the
request for de-referencing, to adjust the list of results in such a way that the overall picture it gives the
internet user reflects the current legal position, which means in particular that links to web pages
containing information on that point must appear in first place on the list.
79
Having regard to the above considerations, the answer to Question 4 is that the provisions of Directive
95/46 must be interpreted as meaning that
–
first, information relating to legal proceedings brought against an individual and, as the case may
be, information relating to an ensuing conviction are data relating to ‘offences’ and ‘criminal
convictions’ within the meaning of Article 8(5) of Directive 95/46, and
–
second, the operator of a search engine is required to accede to a request for de-referencing
relating to links to web pages displaying such information, where the information relates to an
earlier stage of the legal proceedings in question and, having regard to the progress of the
proceedings, no longer corresponds to the current situation, in so far as it is established in the
verification of the reasons of substantial public interest referred to in Article 8(4) of Directive
95/46 that, in the light of all the circumstances of the case, the data subject’s fundamental rights
guaranteed by Articles 7 and 8 of the Charter override the rights of potentially interested internet
users protected by Article 11 of the Charter.
Costs
80
Since these proceedings are, for the parties to the main proceedings, a step in the action pending before
the national court, the decision on costs is a matter for that court. Costs incurred in submitting
observations to the Court, other than the costs of those parties, are not recoverable.
On those grounds, the Court (Grand Chamber) hereby rules:
1.
The provisions of Article 8(1) and (5) of Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and
of the Council of 24 October 1995 on the protection of individuals with regard to the
processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data must be interpreted as
meaning that the prohibition or restrictions relating to the processing of special categories
of personal data, mentioned in those provisions, apply also, subject to the exceptions
provided for by the directive, to the operator of a search engine in the context of his
responsibilities, powers and capabilities as the controller of the processing carried out in
connection with the activity of the search engine, on the occasion of a verification performed
by that operator, under the supervision of the competent national authorities, following a
request by the data subject.
2.
The provisions of Article 8(1) and (5) of Directive 95/46 must be interpreted as meaning that
the operator of a search engine is in principle required by those provisions, subject to the
exceptions provided for by the directive, to accede to requests for de-referencing in relation
to links to web pages containing personal data falling within the special categories referred
to by those provisions.
Article 8(2)(e) of Directive 95/46 must be interpreted as meaning that, pursuant to that article, such an
operator may refuse to accede to a request for de-referencing if he establishes that the links at issue
lead to content comprising personal data falling within the special categories referred to in Article 8(1)
but whose processing is covered by the exception in Article 8(2)(e) of the directive, provided that the
processing satisfies all the other conditions of lawfulness laid down by the directive, and unless the data
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