PROCESSING OF PERSONAL DATA BY MEMBERS OF THE RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY OF JEHOVAHS WITNESSES

The author presents a dispute in Finland over a decision prohibiting the religious community of Jehovahs Witnesses from collecting and otherwise processing personal data as part of the preaching activity. The public authorities of this country have recognized that the community and its members are controllers of personal data and entities responsible for the processing of such data. According to the community, preaching is an individual religious practice. Data collected solely on the personal initiative of the members of the Jehovahs Witness community do not constitute a dataset, and the community cannot be considered a controller of personal data. In the questions referred for a preliminary ruling, the referring court took the position that such activity is not subject to the exemption provided for in Art. 3 sec.1st indent of Directive 95/46. He was not sure, however, that the preaching activity could be considered a purely personal or domestic activity within the meaning of Art. 3 sec. 2nd indent of Directive 95/46. The Grand Chamber of the CJEU delivered a balanced judgment taking into account, on the one hand, the right to respect for private life and, on the other hand, the equally important right to freedom of religion.