COLOMBIA
N/A
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator Ratification of the UN Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts
Lack of ratification of the UN Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts
Colombia has signed but not ratified the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts.
Coverage Horizontal
COLOMBIA
Since August 1999
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Commerce
Law No. 527 of 1999, which defines and regulates access to and use of data messages, electronic commerce and digital signatures, establishes certification entities and sets forth other provisions. (Ley 527 de 1999, por medio de la cual se define y reglamenta el acceso y uso de los mensajes de datos, del comercio electrónico y de las firmas digitales, y se establecen las entidades de certificación y se dictan otras disposiciones)
Colombia enacted Law No. 527 of 1999, drawing upon the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Commerce.
Coverage Horizontal
COLOMBIA
Since November 2012
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Signatures
Decree No. 2,364 of 2012, which regulates Article 7 of Law 527 of 1999 on electronic signatures and enacts other provisions (Decreto 2364 de 2012, por medio del cual se reglamenta el artículo 7° de la Ley 527 de 1999, sobre la firma electrónica y se dictan otras disposiciones)
Colombia enacted Decree No. 2,364 of 2012, drawing upon the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Signatures.
Coverage Horizontal
Sources
- https://uncitral.un.org/en/texts/ecommerce/modellaw/electronic_signatures/status
- https://web.archive.org/web/20260118102927/https://www.funcionpublica.gov.co/eva/gestornormativo/norma.php?i=50583
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250707201717/http://www.oas.org/juridico/spanish/cyb_col_Ley_527_de_1999.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250726174814/https://www1.funcionpublica.gov.co/eva/gestornormativo/norma.php?i=4277
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COLOMBIA
Since April 2013, entry into force in April 2013
Pillar Domestic data policies |
Indicator Requirement to allow the government to access personal data collected
Statutory Law No. 1621 (Ley Estatutaria No. 1621)
Art. 44 of Statutory Law No. 1621 stipulates that telecommunications service operators are obliged, upon request and within the framework of an authorised operation and insofar as technically feasible, to provide intelligence and counterintelligence bodies with the communication histories of the relevant telephone subscribers, the technical identification data of the subscribers under scrutiny, the location of the cells in which their terminals are situated, and any other information that may assist in determining their whereabouts. These bodies must ensure the security of the information received and, for that purpose, must limit their requests to data covering a period not exceeding five years, with such requests to be submitted in writing by the Directors of the intelligence bodies or their duly appointed delegates. Art. 3 establishes that intelligence and counterintelligence functions are undertaken by designated units of the Armed Forces and the National Police, the Financial Information and Analysis Unit (UIAF), and any other bodies empowered by law. Despite the safeguards found in Art. 4, 5, and 15, these requests do not require a court order or warrant.
Coverage Telecommunications service operators
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20260208225904/http://www.secretariasenado.gov.co/senado/basedoc/ley_1621_2013_pr001.html
- https://web.archive.org/web/20260208232811/https://clfr.globalnetworkinitiative.org/country/colombia/
- https://web.archive.org/web/20260208232900/https://freedomhouse.org/country/colombia/freedom-net/2024
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COLOMBIA
N/A
Pillar Intermediary liability |
Indicator Safe harbour for intermediaries for copyright infringement
Lack of intermediary liability framework in place for copyright infringements
A basic legal framework on intermediary liability for copyright infringement is absent in Colombia's law and jurisprudence. The liability regime for damages applicable to Internet intermediaries in Colombia is the same as that generally applied to any other activity, which is a regime of subjective civil liability since the law does not provide for a presumption of fault (or objective) for intermediaries.
Coverage Internet intermediaries
COLOMBIA
N/A
Pillar Intermediary liability |
Indicator Safe harbour for intermediaries for any activity other than copyright infringement
Lack of intermediary liability framework in place beyond copyright infringement
A basic legal framework on intermediary liability beyond copyright infringement is absent in Colombia's law and jurisprudence. The liability regime for damages applicable to Internet intermediaries in Colombia is the same as that generally applied to any other activity, which is a regime of subjective civil liability since the law does not provide for a presumption of fault (or objective) for intermediaries.
Coverage Internet intermediaries
COLOMBIA
Since May 2011, last amended in July 2024
Since September 2011
Since September 2011
Pillar Intermediary liability |
Indicator User identity requirement
Decree No. 1,630 Whereby Measures are Adopted to Restrict the Operation of Stolen Terminal Equipment that is Used for the Provision of Mobile Telecommunications Services (Decreto No. 1,630 Por Medio del Cual se Adoptan Medidas para Restringir la Operación de Equipos Terminales Hurtados que son Utilizados para la Prestación de Servicios de Telecomunicaciones Móviles)
Resolution CRC No. 3,128 on Positive and Negative Databases (Resolución No. 3128 Por la cual se define el modelo técnico, los aspectos operativos y las reglas para la implementación, […] de las bases de datos positiva y negativa para la restricción de la operación en las redes de telecomunicaciones móviles de los equipos terminales móviles reportados como hurtados y/o extraviados […])
Resolution CRC No. 3,128 on Positive and Negative Databases (Resolución No. 3128 Por la cual se define el modelo técnico, los aspectos operativos y las reglas para la implementación, […] de las bases de datos positiva y negativa para la restricción de la operación en las redes de telecomunicaciones móviles de los equipos terminales móviles reportados como hurtados y/o extraviados […])
Decree No. 1,630 creates a national registry of mobile phones through the adoption of two databases. The negative database contains the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) of the devices that have been reported as stolen or lost, both in Colombia and abroad, while the positive database includes the mobile equipment imported or legally manufactured in Colombian territory. The latter connects the IMEI with the identity of the user, who is required to provide the telecommunication operators (or mobile telecommunications networks and services providers) with their full name, type and identity document number, address and telephone number. Although there is no mandatory registration of SIM cards, the IMEIs are associated with a specific user. Art. 5 of Decree No. 1,630 states that telecommunications providers must bear the costs of the system that supports the positive and negative databases, which must be managed by an independent legal entity and should guarantee the quality of the service. More regulation on the databases is contained in Resolution No. 3,128.
Coverage Telecommunications sector
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20211022213700/https://www.mintic.gov.co/portal/715/articles-14181_Resolucion_CRC_3128_2011.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20260210235525/https://www.funcionpublica.gov.co/eva/gestornormativo/norma.php?i=77888
- https://web.archive.org/web/20220725140830/https://www.funcionpublica.gov.co/eva/gestornormativo/norma.php?i=42907
- https://web.archive.org/web/20190804003356/https://www.derechosdigitales.org/wp-content/uploads/Data-Retention-and-Registration-of-Mobile-Phones-.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20220307204434/https://www.derechosdigitales.org/wp-content/uploads/freedom-of-expression-encryption-and-anonymity1.pdf
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COLOMBIA
Since November 2008
Pillar Intermediary liability |
Indicator User identity requirement
Resolution No. 912 Police Service Regulations (Resolución No. 912 Por la Cual se Expide el Reglamento del Servicio de Policía)
According to Resolution No. 912, telecom subscribers must provide telecom concessionaires with their name, address, contact number and ID number. The police duplicate this database. Telecommunications service providers authorised to operate must “allow remote queries” to subscriber’s data “via the web through VPN”, which must contain the following information: complete names or registered corporate or trade name; identification number and type or tax identification (for legal entities); address; telephone number; city of residence; mobile number or fixed line number; “ID and FLOTA number” if any; activation date. In case of changes, telecommunications service providers must send updates to DIJIN ("Dirección de Investigación Criminal e INTERPOL de la Policía Nacional") every month (Art. 1 and Annex I).
Coverage Telecommunications sector
COLOMBIA
Reported in 2022, last reported in 2025
Pillar Quantitative trade restrictions for ICT goods and online services |
Indicator Other import restrictions, including non-transparent/discriminatory import procedures
Complaint on custom clearance procedures
Colombia's slow customs clearance procedures are reportedly hampering import and export activities. In addition, there have been reports that Colombia has experienced significant delays in implementing crucial customs reforms that would allow traders to submit copies of invoices electronically instead of physical documents.
Coverage Horizontal
COLOMBIA
Since October 2015, last amended in December 2016
Pillar Quantitative trade restrictions for ICT goods and online services |
Indicator Other import restrictions, including non-transparent/discriminatory import procedures
Decree No. 2025/2015 Establishing measures to control the import and export of smartphones, mobile phones, and their parts, classified under subheadings 8517. 12.00.00 and 8517.70.00.00 of the Customs Tariff, amending Decree 2685 of 1999 and repealing Decree 2365 of 2012. (Decreto No. 2025/2015 Por el cual se establecen medidas para controlar la importación y exportación de teléfonos móviles inteligentes, teléfonos móviles celulares, y sus partes, clasificables en las subpartidas 8517.12.00.00 y 8517.70.00.00 del Arancel de Aduanas, se adiciona el Decreto 2685 de 1999 y se deroga el Decreto 2365 de 2012)
It is reported that Decree No. 2025/2015 creates burdensome restrictions and administrative requirements for trade in mobile phones. The Decree establishes measures to control the import and export of intelligent mobile phones, cellular mobile phones, and their parts, susceptible to classification under Customs Tariff subheading 8517.12.00.00 and 8517.70.00.00, as part of its strategy to address the theft of mobile phones.
In particular, the decree mandates that each mobile phone have a government-issued International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) verification certificate at the time of import and requires all importers and exporters to pre-register with the National Police in order to trade in mobile phones.
Chapter I of Decree No. 2025 establishes the import conditions of mobile phones. According to Art. 3, mobile phones whose IMEI is registered in the databases referred to in Art. 106 of No. Law 1,453 of 2011 may not be imported. But, importation is permitted if: (a) it is an IMEI reported in the positive database, (ii) in the case of import in compliance with a guarantee or (iii) the re-import of previously exported phones. Also, intelligent mobiles can be imported if the travellers carry them when entering the national territory as a personal possession (and no more than three units). Importation is also allowed under the modality of postal traffic and urgent shipments if it is just one mobile/intelligent phone that fulfils customs regulations."
Art. 1 of Decree No. 2,142 amended Art. 3 of Decree No. 2025/2015 (Chapter I), yet the conditions for importing mobile phones remain largely unchanged. While these restrictions predate the amendment, Decree No. 2,142 introduced a more lenient regime allowing the import under the modality of postal traffic and urgent shipments if it is just one mobile/intelligent phone that fulfils customs regulations.
In particular, the decree mandates that each mobile phone have a government-issued International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) verification certificate at the time of import and requires all importers and exporters to pre-register with the National Police in order to trade in mobile phones.
Chapter I of Decree No. 2025 establishes the import conditions of mobile phones. According to Art. 3, mobile phones whose IMEI is registered in the databases referred to in Art. 106 of No. Law 1,453 of 2011 may not be imported. But, importation is permitted if: (a) it is an IMEI reported in the positive database, (ii) in the case of import in compliance with a guarantee or (iii) the re-import of previously exported phones. Also, intelligent mobiles can be imported if the travellers carry them when entering the national territory as a personal possession (and no more than three units). Importation is also allowed under the modality of postal traffic and urgent shipments if it is just one mobile/intelligent phone that fulfils customs regulations."
Art. 1 of Decree No. 2,142 amended Art. 3 of Decree No. 2025/2015 (Chapter I), yet the conditions for importing mobile phones remain largely unchanged. While these restrictions predate the amendment, Decree No. 2,142 introduced a more lenient regime allowing the import under the modality of postal traffic and urgent shipments if it is just one mobile/intelligent phone that fulfils customs regulations.
Coverage Telephones for cellular networks "mobile telephones" or for other wireless networks
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250506092526/https://www.funcionpublica.gov.co/eva/gestornormativo/norma.php?i=66399
- https://web.archive.org/web/20221001185541/https://tiaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/2022-NTE-1377-TIA-Comments_FINAL.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20230925122051/https://www.suin-juriscol.gov.co/viewDocument.asp?id=30019524
- https://web.archive.org/web/20241129124805/https://normograma.dian.gov.co/dian/compilacion/docs/decreto_2142_2016.htm
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COLOMBIA
Since May 2019, last amended in June 2022
Since May 2021
Since May 2021
Pillar Quantitative trade restrictions for ICT goods and online services |
Indicator Local content requirements (LCRs) on ICT goods for the commercial market
Law No. 1,955 - National Development Plan 2018-2022 (Ley No. 1,955 - Plan Nacional de Desarrollo 2018-2022)
Decree No. 681 Which Adds Title 19 to Part 2 of Decree 1078 of 2015, [...] to Implement Article 154 of Law 1955 of 2019 (Decreto No. 681 Por el Cual se Adiciona el Título 19 a la Parte 2 del Decreto 1078 de 2015, Decreto Único Reglamentario del Sector de Tecnologías de la Información y las Comunicaciones, para Establecer las Reglas para Implementar el Artículo 154 de la Ley 1955 de 2019)
Decree No. 681 Which Adds Title 19 to Part 2 of Decree 1078 of 2015, [...] to Implement Article 154 of Law 1955 of 2019 (Decreto No. 681 Por el Cual se Adiciona el Título 19 a la Parte 2 del Decreto 1078 de 2015, Decreto Único Reglamentario del Sector de Tecnologías de la Información y las Comunicaciones, para Establecer las Reglas para Implementar el Artículo 154 de la Ley 1955 de 2019)
Art. 2.2.19.3 of Decree No. 681 on national audiovisual work for users in Colombia, which implements Art. 154 of the National Development Plan 2018-2022, requires video-on-demand (VOD) platforms that operate in Colombia (such as Amazon Prime, Netflix, HBO, among others) to create an exclusive section that highlights and compiles audiovisual works of Colombian origin.
Coverage Video-on-demand platforms
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20220811080657/https://www.creativelaw.cl/en/colombia-requires-an-exclusive-section-for-local-content-for-vod-platforms/
- https://web.archive.org/web/20220323184354/https://www.mintic.gov.co/portal/inicio/Sala-de-prensa/Noticias/144889:Contenidos-colombianos-contaran-con-una-seccion-propia-en-las-plataformas-digitales-de...
- https://web.archive.org/web/20231208204524/https://www.funcionpublica.gov.co/eva/gestornormativo/norma.php?i=93970
- https://web.archive.org/web/20230924223426/https://www.funcionpublica.gov.co/eva/gestornormativo/norma.php?i=124927
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COLOMBIA
Since October 2015, last amended in December 2016
Pillar Quantitative trade restrictions for ICT goods and online services |
Indicator Export restrictions on ICT goods or online services
Decree No. 2025/2015 Establishing measures to control the import and export of smartphones, mobile phones, and their parts, classified under subheadings 8517. 12.00.00 and 8517.70.00.00 of the Customs Tariff, amending Decree 2685 of 1999 and repealing Decree 2365 of 2012. (Decreto No. 2025/2015 Por el cual se establecen medidas para controlar la importación y exportación de teléfonos móviles inteligentes, teléfonos móviles celulares, y sus partes, clasificables en las subpartidas 8517.12.00.00 y 8517.70.00.00 del Arancel de Aduanas, se adiciona el Decreto 2685 de 1999 y se deroga el Decreto 2365 de 2012)
According to Art. 7 of Decree No. 2025/2015, the export of smartphones/mobile phones is prohibited, with some exceptions:
- Export is allowed if travellers carry the phones when leaving the national territory as personal possession (and no more than three units);
- In the case of temporary export;
- In case of definitive export, when they are considered waste electrical or electronic equipment;
- When the export of smartphones or mobile phones originates from a free zone within Colombia, and the products have been transformed, assembled, stored, repaired, or serviced by users of the free zone.
In addition, Art. 4 of Decree No. 2,142 modified Art. 7 of Decree No. 2,025 (chapter II), but export conditions for mobile phones remain in place.
- Export is allowed if travellers carry the phones when leaving the national territory as personal possession (and no more than three units);
- In the case of temporary export;
- In case of definitive export, when they are considered waste electrical or electronic equipment;
- When the export of smartphones or mobile phones originates from a free zone within Colombia, and the products have been transformed, assembled, stored, repaired, or serviced by users of the free zone.
In addition, Art. 4 of Decree No. 2,142 modified Art. 7 of Decree No. 2,025 (chapter II), but export conditions for mobile phones remain in place.
Coverage Mobile phones
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250506092526/https://www.funcionpublica.gov.co/eva/gestornormativo/norma.php?i=66399
- https://web.archive.org/web/20221001185541/https://tiaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/2022-NTE-1377-TIA-Comments_FINAL.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20230925122051/https://www.suin-juriscol.gov.co/viewDocument.asp?id=30019524
- https://web.archive.org/web/20241129124805/https://normograma.dian.gov.co/dian/compilacion/docs/decreto_2142_2016.htm
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COLOMBIA
Since May 2015, as amended in August 2015
Since February 2007
Since February 2007
Pillar Technical standards applied to ICT goods and online services |
Indicator Self-certification for product safety
Decree No. 1074 of 2015 “Issuing the Single Regulatory Decree for the Trade, Industry, and Tourism Sector.” (Decreto No. 1074 de 2015 "Por medio del cuál se expide el Decreto Único Reglamentario del Sector Comercio, Industria y Turismo")
Circular No. 60 Describes the Technical Requirements for the Homologation Process Implemented for Landline, Satellite Phones, and Cell Phones (Resolución No. 60 Normas Técnicas y Requisitos para Homologación de Teléfonos Fijos de Mesa y Pared, Satelitales, Celulares-TMC y de Servicios de Comunicación Personal, PCS)
Circular No. 60 Describes the Technical Requirements for the Homologation Process Implemented for Landline, Satellite Phones, and Cell Phones (Resolución No. 60 Normas Técnicas y Requisitos para Homologación de Teléfonos Fijos de Mesa y Pared, Satelitales, Celulares-TMC y de Servicios de Comunicación Personal, PCS)
Section 9 of Decree No. 1074 of 2015 regulates the conformity assessment procedure. There is a mandatory certification of cellular devices.
According to Art. 2.2.1.7.9.2 of the Decree, the country accepts a Self-Declaration of Conformity (SDoC). However, a testing laboratory recognised by the regulator ICONTEC (“Instituto Colombiano de Normas Técnicas y Certificación”) must test the equipment, and the supplier must register the equipment with the regulator.
Circular No. 060 deals with safety levels regarding human exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields and lists the following products to be homologated: fixed-wireline desktop and wall-mounted, cellular-mobile, cellular-fixed, PCS-mobile, PCS-fixed, dual-cellular PCS, and satellite.
According to Art. 2.2.1.7.9.2 of the Decree, the country accepts a Self-Declaration of Conformity (SDoC). However, a testing laboratory recognised by the regulator ICONTEC (“Instituto Colombiano de Normas Técnicas y Certificación”) must test the equipment, and the supplier must register the equipment with the regulator.
Circular No. 060 deals with safety levels regarding human exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields and lists the following products to be homologated: fixed-wireline desktop and wall-mounted, cellular-mobile, cellular-fixed, PCS-mobile, PCS-fixed, dual-cellular PCS, and satellite.
Coverage Telecom equipment
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20240714094302/https://docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/SS/directdoc.aspx?filename=q:/G/IT/W17R28.pdf&Open=True
- https://web.archive.org/web/20241129125115/https://www.redjurista.com/Documents/circular_60_de_2007_crt_-_comision_de_regulacion_de_telecomunicaciones.aspx#/
- https://web.archive.org/web/20251226122233/https://www.funcionpublica.gov.co/eva/gestornormativo/norma.php?i=76608
- https://web.archive.org/web/20251013123951/https://www.csiassoc.com/colombia.html
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COLOMBIA
Since October 2012, last amended in May 2015
Since June 2013
Since August 2017, as amended in March 2018
Since June 2013
Since August 2017, as amended in March 2018
Pillar Cross-border data policies |
Indicator Conditional flow regime
Law No. 1,581 on Data Protection (Ley No. 1,581 Ley de Protección de Datos Personales)
Decree No. 1,377 Which Partially Regulates Law No. 1,581 (Decreto No. 1,377 Por el Cual se Reglamenta Parcialmente la Ley No. 1,581 de 2012)
External Circular No. 005/2017 of the Superintendency of Industry and Trade (Circular Externa No. 005/2017 de la Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio)
Decree No. 1,377 Which Partially Regulates Law No. 1,581 (Decreto No. 1,377 Por el Cual se Reglamenta Parcialmente la Ley No. 1,581 de 2012)
External Circular No. 005/2017 of the Superintendency of Industry and Trade (Circular Externa No. 005/2017 de la Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio)
According to Art. 26 of Law No. 1,581, cross-border transfer of personal data is forbidden unless it is made to a country that offers adequate levels of data protection, as defined by the Colombian data protection authority. The prohibition does not apply in certain cases, including when the data subject authorises the cross-border transfer or when medical data is required for health or public hygiene reasons. According to the law, the institution in charge, "Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio" (SIC), establishes the standards regarding international data transfers.
Pursuant to Section 3.2 of External Circular No. 005/2017, as amended by External Circular No. 002/2018, the jurisdictions recognised as providing an adequate level of data protection include EU Member States, as well as Australia, Costa Rica, Japan, Iceland, Norway, Peru, Serbia, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Pursuant to Section 3.2 of External Circular No. 005/2017, as amended by External Circular No. 002/2018, the jurisdictions recognised as providing an adequate level of data protection include EU Member States, as well as Australia, Costa Rica, Japan, Iceland, Norway, Peru, Serbia, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Coverage Horizontal
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20230331212134/https://www.funcionpublica.gov.co/eva/gestornormativo/norma.php?i=49981
- https://web.archive.org/web/20230325145617/https://www.funcionpublica.gov.co/eva/gestornormativo/norma.php?i=53646#0
- https://web.archive.org/web/20260216134005/https://sedeelectronica.sic.gov.co/sites/default/files/normatividad/032018/CIRCULAR-EXTERNA-002.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20260216134145/https://www.alcaldiabogota.gov.co/sisjur/normas/Norma1.jsp?i=70498&dt=S
- Show more...
COLOMBIA
Since December 2008, last amended in October 2021
Pillar Cross-border data policies |
Indicator Conditional flow regime
Law No. 1,266 Regulates Habeas Data and the Handling of the Information Contained in Personal Databases, Especially Financial, Credit, Commercial, Services, and That from Third Countries (Ley No. 1,266 Por la Cual se Dictan las Disposiciones Generales del Hábeas Data y se Regula el Manejo de la Información Contenida en Bases de Datos Personales, en Especial la Financiera, Crediticia, Comercial, de Servicios y la Proveniente de Terceros Países [...])
Art. 5 of Law No. 1,266 establishes that a personal data transfer between data bank operators is permitted when authorisation is obtained from the data subject or when the destination database has the same purpose as the operator that delivers the data. If the receiver of the data is a foreign data bank, the delivery without authorisation must be done with a written record and due verification that the laws of the recipient of the information offer guarantees for the protection of the rights of the data subject.
Coverage Financial sector
