Hi Hadia, The distinction between a natural and legal person is not as simple to make as you seem to suggest. The definition of personal data within the GDPR is broad, and refers not only to information that is explicitly personal, but also to data that can potentially lead to the identification of a natural person. A small, one-person home based business, for example, may be a legal entity, but if it operates from the same address as a natural person by the same name, it is not a stretch to see how the natural person (and, by extension, his or her personal information) would then be identifiable from data connected to the legal person. In support of my statement above, I note in particular Opinion 4/2007 of the Article 29 Working Party (now the European Data Protection Board), which previously advised: "Information about legal persons may also be considered as "relating to" natural persons on their own merits, in accordance with the criteria set out in this document. This may be the case where the name of the legal person derives from that of a natural person. Another case may be that of corporate email, which is normally used by a certain employee, or that of information about a small business (legally speaking an "object" rather than a legal person), which may describe the behaviour of its owner. In all these cases, where the criteria of "content", "purpose" or "result" allow the information about a legal person or business to be considered as "relating" to a natural person, it should be viewed as personal data, and the data protection rules should apply." Best wishes, Ayden Férdeline ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ Original Message ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ On Monday, 5 November 2018 13:52, Hadia Abdelsalam Mokhtar EL miniawi <Hadia@tra.gov.eg> wrote:

Hi all,

With regard to the distinction between natural and legal persons I would like to start with some factual points

1. The GDPR applies to the processing of personal data of natural persons and not to personal data that concerns legal persons; recital 14 says " This regulation does not cover the processing of personal data which concerns legal persons and in particular undertakings established as legal persons"

2. We are not the ones who decided on this distinction the GDPR did and ICANN is not in the business of making laws

3. The CPs are concerned because

· The information of legal persons might as well be personal information of natural persons. (Which might put the CPs at risk)

· The registrants might identify themselves incorrectly (Which might put the CPs at risk)

· They are not sure about the practicality and implementation of this distinction.

To address the concerns of the contracted parties

1. Some registries are already making this distinction like EURid where the registrar agreement defines personal data as follows

" “Personal Data” means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person. An identifiable person is one who can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular, by reference or identification number or by one or more factors specific to his or her physical, physiological, mental, economic, cultural or social identity" some other registries have also taken this approach.

Looking at all the red-lines and clean versions provided by all groups with regard to the work of small team 1. We all agree in the recommendations section on having the GDD staff commence a research on how currently ccTLDs and CPs make the distinction between the natural and legal persons. I assume that the research will not only tackle the implementation or the technological aspect of this but also the legal aspects and the risks associated

2. Dianne, Thomas and others have suggested to try to get guidance from the DPAs or EC in this regard.

I believe that after we get the results of the above, we might be able to reach consensus on the matter.

Hadia

From: Gnso-epdp-team [mailto:gnso-epdp-team-bounces@icann.org] On Behalf Of Thomas Rickert Sent: Monday, November 05, 2018 1:36 PM To: Diane Plaut Cc: Alex Deacon; Gnso-epdp-team; gnso-epdp-team@icann.org Subject: Re: [Gnso-epdp-team] Further Input from the IPC/BC on Small Team #1 and #2 issues

Hi Diane,

I am still waiting for a response from the EC. Will let all of you know once there is news to report.

All the best,

Thomas

Am 05.11.2018 um 02:02 schrieb Plaut, Diane <Diane.Plaut@corsearch.com>:

Dear Thomas-

Thank you for thoughtful analysis, as usual. I agree that we have to get further input from other DPAs, and I have told you that I very much want to support and be part of that effort (the meeting you offered to set up). This was a starting point to push this effort forward, and I believe a good starting point because the ICO is recognized as a source of moderate guidance.

Getting DPA guidance is an important and essential effort that we both know needs to happen to allow the EPDP to come up with practical solutions to the legal application of data protection laws, and specifically the GDPR, to answer the charter questions and advance a working DNS system.

Please let me know if you were able to make progress on setting up the meeting in November, as discussed.

Sincerely,

Diane

On Nov 4, 2018, at 2:59 PM, Thomas Rickert <epdp@gdpr.ninja> wrote:

...

Hi Diane, all,

Thanks for doing research on this and sharing information from the ICO with the group.

This has sparked off quiet some discussion, which is good.

Reading all the e-mails I cannot help feeling that you are talking past each other, at least to a certain extent.

We are trying to answer the question whether a distinction between natural and legal persons should be made.

Some say that the distinction should not be made as there are risks when you make the distinction. If a legal person’s name is PII and if a contracted party then publishes that data, it will be in breach of the GDPR and potentially be at the risk of being fined.

The ICO on the other hand, says that information from the data subject can be trusted. What that means is that the registrar does not have to do validation.

Let’s say I mistype my name - that is nothing the registrar needs to investigate.

But that is different from a sole trader who gives his name and tags it legal person. I do not think the ICO would go as far as saying that the data subject’s potentially inaccurate submission of information would include the legal consequences of being put into the bucket of legal entities. In fact, that could mean that the individual would get its data disclosed and not be able to exercise rights under GDPR.

This is why I think we should try to get guidance from the DPAs or the EC. If they say the parties involved will not be sanctioned if they rely on the self-identification of a customer, that is fine. Absent such clarification, we need to continue the conversation….

I hope this helps.

Best,

Thomas

Am 03.11.2018 um 02:28 schrieb Plaut, Diane <Diane.Plaut@corsearch.com>:

[Dear EPDP Team-]

In our efforts to overcome a significant hurdle through our EPDP work – that CPs have expressed they cannot rely on the accuracy of Registrant input and, therefore, are hesitant to distinguish between legal and natural persons or count on country information input by Registrant’s because if it is not accurate, they are concerned they will be liable for identifying the person incorrectly or determining the applicable law incorrectly. We have discussed in the EPDP the prospect of trying to get input from DPAs to confirm that it is reasonable to count on Registrant input. Thomas Rickert has most recently proposed in Barcelona, setting up a meeting with the EDPB and I have expressed my support and desire to partake in this and the legal effort. In the meanwhile, I think it is beneficial for us to try to do our own research and show DPA insight on this topic. To this end, I provide below, guidance from the ICO on this topic. The IPC/BC wishes to add this to the Small Team #1and #2 comments in support of our positions on the issues of supporting the distinction of legal and natural persons and applying relevant country laws.

The Accuracy of information provided by data subjects

Article 5(1)(d)/(2) GDPR provides that controllers have an obligation to demonstrate compliance with the requirement that:

Personal data shall be…accurate and, where necessary, kept up to date; every reasonable step must be taken to ensure that personal data that are inaccurate, having regard to the purposes for which they are processed, are erased or rectified without delay (‘accuracy’).

According to the ICO, this means that controllers must take all reasonable steps to ensure that the personal data they hold is not incorrect or misleading as to any matter of fact. However, the GDPR does not explicitly distinguish between personal data provided by the data subject, provided by a third party or created by the controller – the same obligation applies in each such case.

As to whether it is possible to rely on the data subject for the accuracy of the information, the ICO has confirmed in its guidance that this is possible. In particular, the ICO states that: “In some cases it is reasonable to rely on the individual to tell you when their personal data has changed, such as when they change address or other contact details. It may be sensible to periodically ask individuals to update their own details, but you do not need to take extreme measures to ensure your records are up to date, unless there is a corresponding privacy risk which justifies this.” However, if the controller learns that information is no longer accurate/up to date (either from the data subject or from other information which comes to light), the controller should update its records accordingly.

The ICO also recognizes that it may be impractical to check the accuracy of personal data someone else provides. In such cases, the ICO suggests that controllers must:

· accurately record the information provided;

· accurately record the source of the information;

· take “reasonable steps” in the circumstances to ensure the accuracy of the information; and

· carefully consider any challenges to the accuracy of the information.

Given that the data subject itself inputs and supplies the data registration information (elements) in issue, there is a strong argument that under the above guidance by the ICO, it is reasonable to reply on the accuracy of this information for purposes of distinguishing between legal and natural persons and for purposes of correct geographical information in relation to applicable law purposes.

Moreover, in addition to and to support the above, the IPC and BC further strongly support the following legal recommendation be added to both Small Team #1 and Small Team #2 input that contractual provisions be added to agreements so that overall accuracy standards are achieved, stating: The above-identified Registrant represents and warrants that the data provided herein is true, complete and accurate. It could even go one step further and expressly say that Registrar is entitled to rely on this data in making legal determinations including, without limitation, those related to GDPR and relevant data protection laws. Nothing in the above, limits the application of the ICO guidance from supporting greater accuracy required by all parties.

Sincerely,

Diane

Diane Plaut

General Counsel and Privacy Officer

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