Austria’s Privacy Watchdog Crippled by Budget Cuts

Austria’s privacy watchdog has announced a significant reduction in its operations due to severe budget cuts, raising concerns about the country’s ability to enforce data protection laws. The watchdog stated it will no longer process most complaints, conduct investigations or carry out audits, citing a lack of resources following a 2024 budget freeze.

The non-profit organization noyb filed a formal complaint with the European Commission, arguing that the Austrian Data Protection Authority’s limited functioning violates EU legal obligations. According to the NGO, the cuts leave citizens without adequate protection and companies without proper oversight, potentially undermining the enforcement of the General Data Protection Regulation.

Austria’s privacy watchdog now faces mounting pressure to restore operational capacity, as critics warn that its reduced role could set a precedent for other EU countries. The European Commission has yet to respond publicly to the complaint.

Read the official news release here:
https://noyb.eu/en/budget-cuts-paralyse-austrian-dpa-ngo-complaint-eu-commission