Danish DPA Approves Employer Sharing Union Data
Summary
Datatilsynet issued a decision in a complaint case where a union, on behalf of its member, challenged an employer's disclosure of personal data—including union membership information—to a third party in connection with an employment dispute between the parties. The third party was a relative of the employer and a colleague in the complainant's current position. Datatilsynet found the disclosure fell within the framework of data protection rules, noting the employer shared information with an advisor who assisted in hiring the complainant and would have the necessary qualifications to assist in the employment case. The DPA emphasised that information about party representatives—including union affiliation—is typically considered relevant to disclose to advisors when defending against legal claims.
“Datatilsynet fandt i den konkrete sag ikke grundlag for at tilsidesætte arbejdsgivers vurdering af, at videregivelsen af personoplysninger til tredjepart forfulgte en legitim interesse.”
Employers involved in employment disputes should ensure any disclosure of employee personal data—including union membership—to advisors is documented as serving a legitimate interest tied to the dispute. The advisor's connection to the matter (such as prior involvement in hiring) appears to strengthen the legitimate-interest basis under this decision.
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GovPing monitors Denmark Datatilsynet News for new data privacy & cybersecurity regulatory changes. Every update since tracking began is archived, classified, and available as free RSS or email alerts — 3 changes logged to date.
What changed
Datatilsynet issued a decision finding that an employer did not violate data protection rules by sharing personal data—including union membership information—with a third party in connection with an employment dispute. The DPA found the disclosure pursued a legitimate interest and that sharing party-representative information (including union affiliation) with advisors assisting in the matter is ordinarily relevant and permissible under data protection law.
Employers and their advisors handling employment disputes should note that sharing union membership and other representative information with legal or professional advisors involved in the dispute may be permissible under the legitimate-interest legal basis, provided the advisor has a clear role in the matter. Documentation of the advisor's involvement and qualifications is advisable to support such disclosures.
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Apr 23, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Ny afgørelse
Arbejdsgivers videregivelse af personoplysninger
Dato: 17-04-2026 Nyhed Datatilsynet vurderer, at arbejdsgivers videregivelse af personoplysninger, herunder oplysninger om fagforeningsmæssigt tilhørsforhold, til en tredjepart skete inden for rammerne af de databeskyttelsesretlige regler.
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Datatilsynet har truffet afgørelse i en konkret klagesag, hvor en fagforening på vegne af sit medlem klagede over arbejdsgivers videregivelse af personoplysninger – herunder oplysninger om fagforeningsmæssigt tilhørsforhold – til en tredjepart i forbindelse med en arbejdsretligt tvist mellem sagens parter. Af klagen fremgik det, at tredjeparten er beslægtet med arbejdsgiveren og kollega til klager i klagers nuværende stilling.
Datatilsynet fandt i sagen, at videregivelsen skete inden for rammerne af de databeskyttelsesretlige regler.
Datatilsynet fandt i den konkrete sag ikke grundlag for at tilsidesætte arbejdsgivers vurdering af, at videregivelsen af personoplysninger til tredjepart forfulgte en legitim interesse. Tilsynet lagde i sin afgørelse blandt andet vægt på, at arbejdsgiveren havde videregivet oplysningerne til en rådgiver, som havde bistået ansættelsen af klager. Det må således formodes, at vedkommende havde de fornødne forudsætninger for at kunne bistå arbejdsgiveren i den arbejdsretlige sag.
Videregivelse af oplysninger om fagforeningsmæssigt tilhørsforhold
Behandling af følsomme oplysninger – fx oplysninger om fagforeningsmæssigt tilhørsforhold – kan ske, hvis behandlingen er nødvendig for, at et retskrav kan fastlægges, gøres gældende eller forsvares.
Det fremgår af sagen, at klager havde bemyndiget sin fagforening til at agere partsrepræsentant i den arbejdsretlige sag, og oplysningerne om det fagforeningsmæssige tilhørsforhold optrådte i relation hertil.
Det er Datatilsynets opfattelse, at oplysninger om partsrepræsentanter – uanset om disse også indeholder oplysninger om fagforeningsmæssigt tilhørsforhold – sædvanligvis må anses som værende relevante at videregive til en eventuel rådgiver, man påtager for at forholde sig til og forsvare sig mod et eventuelt retskrav.
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