According to Article 15 of the GDPR, data subjects have the right to access and receive a copy of their personal data, and other supplementary information, from the data controller1. However, this right is not absolute and may be subject to limitations or restrictions. One of the grounds for refusing or limiting a data subject access request (DSAR) is when the request is manifestly unfounded or excessive, in particular because of its repetitive character1. In such cases, the controller may either charge a reasonable fee, taking into account the administrative costs of providing the information, or refuse to act on the request1. The controller must inform the data subject of the reasons for not taking action and of the possibility of lodging a complaint with a supervisory authority or seeking a judicial remedy1.
In this scenario, Jack's DSAR is likely to be considered excessive, as he requests a copy of all personal data, including internal emails, that were sent or received by him or where he is directly or indirectly identifiable from the contents. This is a very broad and vague request, which would require the company to search and review a large amount of information, and potentially disclose confidential or sensitive data about other employees or third parties. The company has already contacted Jack, asking him to be more specific about what information he requires, but he refused to narrow the scope of his request. Therefore, the company has a valid reason to decline to provide any information, as the amount of information requested is too excessive to provide in one month, which is the general time limit for responding to a DSAR under the GDPR1. Therefore, option B is the correct answer.
Option A is incorrect because the company's headquarters location is irrelevant for the purpose of the DSAR, as the GDPR applies to any processing of personal data in the context of the activities of an establishment of a controller or a processor in the EU, regardless of whether the processing takes place in the EU or not2. The company has an establishment in Ireland, where Jack worked, and therefore is subject to the GDPR.
Option C is incorrect because the company cannot agree to provide the information requested in Jack's original DSAR within a period of 3 months, as this would violate the data subject's right of access and the principle of accountability under the GDPR. The company can only extend the time limit to respond to a DSAR by a further two months if the request is complex or if the controller receives a number of requests from the same data subject1. However, the company must inform the data subject of any such extension within one month of receipt of the request, together with the reasons for the delay1. In this case, the company has not done so, and has instead asked Jack to be more specific about his request.
Option D is incorrect because the company cannot provide all requested information except for the emails, as this would not comply with the data subject's right of access and the principle of transparency under the GDPR. The company must provide the data subject with a copy of the personal data undergoing processing, unless this adversely affects the rights and freedoms of others1. The emails are part of the personal data undergoing processing, and the company cannot exclude them from the DSAR without a valid reason. The company must also provide the data subject with the following supplementary information, unless the data subject already has it1:
the purposes of the processing;
the categories of personal data concerned;
the recipients or categories of recipients to whom the personal data have been or will be disclosed, in particular recipients in third countries or international organisations; where possible, the envisaged period for which the personal data will be stored, or, if not possible, the criteria used to determine that period; the existence of the right to request from the controller rectification or erasure of personal data or restriction of processing of personal data concerning the data subject or to object to such processing; the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority; where the personal data are not collected from the data subject, any available information as to their source; the existence of automated decision-making, including profiling, referred to in Article 22(1) and (4) and, at least in those cases, meaningful information about the logic involved, as well as the significance and the envisaged consequences of such processing for the data subject.
Reference:
Right of access
Territorial scope