The Spanish Data Protection Agency (AEPD) has announced the opening of an ex officio investigation concerning a report from the Ministry of the Interior's Communication Office.

This investigation follows the publication of information about a report containing the names of journalists accompanied by remarks related to their ideology or political opinions. The AEPD will analyze the nature, scope, use, and legal basis of this data processing, while specifying that the opening of this procedure does not imply the existence of an infringement. The authority recalls that any processing must comply with Article 5 of the GDPR, notably the purpose limitation principle, and be based on a legal basis provided for in Article 6. Furthermore, the processing of special categories of data, such as political opinions, is generally prohibited by Article 9, paragraph 1 of the GDPR, and can only be carried out if a condition lifting this prohibition is met.