Source: OJ L 119, 4.5.2016, pp. 1–88Consolidated text

Current language: EN

Article 85 Processing and freedom of expression and information


Summary What does Article 85 of the GDPR regulation say?

This article addresses the tension between two fundamental rights — the protection of personal data and the freedom of expression and information — and places the responsibility on Member States to balance them through national law.

It carves out broad space for journalistic, academic, artistic, and literary activities to operate outside many of the GDPR's standard requirements where necessary, making it a significant derogation article within the regulation.

Important points:

  • Member States are required to pass national laws that reconcile data protection rights with freedom of expression and information, including for journalistic and academic or artistic purposes.
  • Member States may exempt or derogate from large portions of the GDPR — covering principles, data subject rights, controller obligations, international transfers, supervisory authorities, and cooperation — where necessary for those expressive purposes.
  • Member States must notify the Commission of the national provisions adopted under this article, and of any subsequent amendments without delay.

Springlex's summary of the article is a reading aid, not a substitute for the legal text.

    1. Member States shall by law reconcile the right to the protection of personal data pursuant to this Regulation with the right to freedom of expression and information, including processing for journalistic purposes and the purposes of academic, artistic or literary expression.

    1. For processing carried out for journalistic purposes or the purpose of academic artistic or literary expression, Member States shall provide for exemptions or derogations from Chapter II (principles), Chapter III (rights of the data subject), Chapter IV (controller and processor), Chapter V (transfer of personal data to third countries or international organisations), Chapter VI (independent supervisory authorities), Chapter VII (cooperation and consistency) and Chapter IX (specific data processing situations) if they are necessary to reconcile the right to the protection of personal data with the freedom of expression and information.

    1. Each Member State shall notify to the Commission the provisions of its law which it has adopted pursuant to paragraph 2 and, without delay, any subsequent amendment law or amendment affecting them.

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