A Kinder, Gentler Spanish Data Protection Authority?

As of July 24, Spain has a new director for its Data Protection Authority (Agencia Española de Protección de Datos — AEPD). The AEPD is the agency responsible for conducting investigations and bringing disciplinary actions concerning data protection issues, including compliance with Spain's Data Protection Act of 1999 (called the "LOPD" in Spain), which implemented the EU's Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC.

The new director at the helm of the AEPD, for a four-year term, is Mar España Martí. In what may be a change in tone at the AEPD, Martí acknowledged upon taking office that the perception of the AEPD was that it was a sanctioning body. Martí stated that the AEPD needed to engage more with public and private stakeholders to foster a respect for privacy. Martí said that she will be aiming to establish the appropriate balance between the right to privacy and the demands for information.