Maria Samartseva, Сounsel and Head of the IP Litigation Practice at Rybalkin, Gortsunyan, Dyakin and Partners (RGD), spoke at the “Information Security and Personal Data Protection” conference organized by Pravo.ru.

The annual conferences on the topic held by the online media outlet are devoted to current problems of processing and protection of personal data. This year, the event participants focused on initiatives to reform personal data legislation, organize payment of compensation to users, and judicial practice on holding people accountable for leaks. They also discussed examples of how particular companies protect personal data.

Maria Samartseva spoke at a session called “This is not the time to disclose: current practices in the area of prosecution for personal data protection breaches”. She analyzed statistics on criminal, administrative and civil cases related to leaks. In particular, the statistics on the payments from lawsuits of users who have become victims of “leaks” of personal data on the Internet, the volumes and types of leaks and the practice of holding IT companies responsible. Among other things, Maria analyzed cases involving Yandex.Eda, Vkusvill and CDEK: causes of leaks, the companies’ reaction to the leaks and measures taken by companies. In addition, Maria illustrated statistics on holding such companies accountable. Maria also talked about such measures as restoring justice and paying compensation for moral damage to the user. She identified proving that the IT giant is at fault as one of the main obstacles in protecting the violated rights of the user.