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How ambiguous data protection law silences journalism

Lessons from strategic litigation in Hungary

HUNGARIAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION

NOVEMBER 2025

Two main goals:

To demonstrate journalistic best practices through the Hungarian example;
Highlight the importance of litigation: how human rights NGOs can be great allies.

Léna Perczel, legal officer at the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union (TASZ) 22 November, 2025

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Background

2018 general data protection regulation (GDPR) was introduced (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2016/679/oj/eng)

goal: to harmonize and set a high standard for data protection laws along the EU

collision of right to data protection vs. press freedom

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GDPR expects reconciliation

Hungary did not reconcile constitutional vacuum

HUNGARIAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION

NOVEMBER 2025

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Constitutional vacuum

unclear how the GDPR should be interpreted in the context of journalistic purposes and content (especially regarding legal basis)

up to courts and DPA

need for

courageous publishers/journalists and
strategic litigation

as a consequence HCLU achieved: from strict interpretation to one that takes into account the very nature of journalistic work

first relevant case: Barabás v Forbes (business owner’s challenging�Forbes’ rich list)

HUNGARIAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION

NOVEMBER 2025

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Hungary’s approach

HUNGARIAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION

NOVEMBER 2025

GDPR requirement	Before litigation	After litigation	Relevant case
Legal basis	Only consent and legitimate interest [GDPR Art. 6(1)a and f]	Case by case, could be public interest too [GDPR Art. 6(1)e)]	Barabás v Forbes DPA’s decision challenged in court* (supreme court decision)
General privacy policy	Deemed insufficient	Accepted at times instead of fulfilling notification req.	Szetlik v Magyar Narancs DPA procedure* Barabás v Forbes civil procedure* etc.
Notification	Preliminarily, proactively and individually (in detail) [GDPR Art. 14.]	Often: required (upheld) Latest decision: not required [GDPR Art. 14(5)b]	Barabás v Magyar Narancs civil procedure*
Justification of compelling interest	Mandatory in case of objection	Mandatory in case of objection	all

*Litigation funded by Media Defence

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HUNGARIAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION

NOVEMBER 2025

End note

uncertainty regarding different data protection approaches

can lead to self-censorship and abuse of laws (sparking SLAPPs)
publishers can be held under pressure - high fines

positive note: litigation can fill gaps - human rights NGOs can be great allies for journalists

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Thank you for your attention!

HUNGARIAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION

NOVEMBER 2025

Q&A

get in touch:

Léna Perczel

Hungarian Civil Liberties Union

perczel.lena@tasz.hu