2025-07-16

Dr. Dr. Lela Janashvili Met with Levan Vepkhvadze - Executive Director of the Georgian Business Association

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The President of the Personal Data Protection Service of Georgia, Dr. Dr. Lela Janashvili, met with Levan Vepkhvadze, Executive Director of the Business Association of Georgia, and the Association’s First Deputy Director, Akaki Sagirashvili. The meeting was also attended by Nikoloz Popiashvili, Head of the President’s Office at the Service, and Shavleg Todua, Acting Head of the Private Sector Oversight Department.

During the meeting, Dr. Dr. Lela Janashvili presented to Levan Vepkhvadze and Akaki Sagirashvili the main challenges identified in the private sector following the entry into force of the new Law “On Personal Data Protection”. The President of the Service summarized the past year and noted that out of 1 662 applications/complaints received in 2024, 90% concerned data processing by private organizations. Therefore, it is particularly importance of cooperate with the private sector through the support of the Business Association and strengthen various joint formats (meetings, training sessions and consultation) in order to raise awareness and enhance qualifications in matters related to personal data processing.

Dr. Dr. Janashvili highlighted that data processing in the healthcare and financial sectors poses particular challenges. She also drew attention to other priority issues, including international data transfers and the appointment/designation of data protection officers.

Mr. Vepkhvadze and Mr. Sagirashvili underlined the business community’s strong interest in personal data protection. They noted that, now that some time has passed since the law’s adoption, the organization of practical and consultative meetings would be especially beneficial for the private sector.

At the meeting, it was agreed that in the near future, the Business Association of Georgia will organize an extended meeting with the private sector to discuss these topics.

It is noteworthy that the Business Association unites around 150 business groups, including more than 1 200 large, medium and small business organizations, therefore, cooperation with the Association and the organization of joint meetings and training sessions are particularly important for the Service.