Data Protected - Lithuania

Contributed by Valiūnas ir partneriai Ellex 

Last updated February 2024

General | Data Protection Laws

National Legislation
National Supervisory Authority
Scope of Application
Personal Data
Sensitive Personal Data
Data Protection Officers
Accountability and Privacy Impact Assessments
Rights of Data Subjects
Security
Transfer of Personal Data to Third Countries
Enforcement

ePrivacy | Marketing and cookies

National Legislation
Cookies
Marketing by E-mail
Marketing by Telephone

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General | Data Protection Laws

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National Legislation

General data protection laws

The General Data Protection Regulation (EU) (2016/679) (“GDPR”).

The Law on Legal Protection of Personal Data of the Republic of Lithuania (the “Law”) which was amended on 16 July 2018 to implement the requirements of the GDPR.

Entry into force

The GDPR has applied since 25 May 2018.

The Law came into force on 16 July 2018. 

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National Supervisory Authority

Details of the competent national supervisory authority

The State Data Protection Inspectorate (the “Inspectorate”)

L. Sapiegos st. 17

LT-10312 Vilnius 

Lithuania

www.vdai.lrv.lt

The Inspectorate represents Lithuania on the European Data Protection Board.

When processing relates to journalistic purposes and academic, artistic or literary expression, the Inspector of Journalist Ethics (the “Inspector”) also has similar rights and obligations compared to the Inspectorate. The Inspector while on duty cooperates with the Inspectorate to ensure compliance with the GDPR.

The Office of the Inspector of Journalist Ethics

Gediminas av. 60

LT-01110 Vilnius

Lithuania

www.zeit.lt

Notification or registration scheme and timing

There is no obligation to notify regulators of any processing under the GDPR. However, controllers and processors must keep a record of their processing and make it available to their supervisory authority on request (subject to limited exemptions).

Exemptions to notification

Not applicable.

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Scope of Application

What is the territorial scope of application?

The GDPR applies to the processing of personal data in the context of the establishment of a controller or processor in the EU.

It also contains express extra-territorial provisions and will apply to controllers or processors based outside the EU that: (i) offer goods or services to individuals in the EU; or (ii) monitor individuals within the EU. Controllers and processors caught by these provisions will need to appoint a representative in the EU, subject to certain limited exemptions.

The European Data Protection Board has issued Guidelines on the territorial scope of the GDPR (3/2018).

The Law is applicable when personal data is processed by the data controller or data processor with a registered office in the Republic of Lithuania, irrespective of whether the data is processed within the European Union or not. It also applies when personal data is processed by a data controller established outside the Republic of Lithuania, subject to the laws of the Republic of Lithuania in accordance with international public law (including diplomatic missions of the Republic of Lithuania and consular posts).

Is there a concept of a controller and processor?

Yes. The GDPR contains the concept of a controller, who determines the purpose and means of processing, and a processor, who just processes personal data on behalf of the controller.

The European Data Protection Board has issued Guidelines on the concepts of controller and processor in the GDPR (7/2020).

Both controllers and processors are subject to the rules in the GDPR, but the obligations placed on processors are more limited

Are both manual and electronic records subject to data protection legislation?

Yes. The GDPR applies to both electronic records and structured hard copy records.

Are there any national derogations?

The GDPR does not apply to law enforcement activities which are instead subject to the Law Enforcement Directive. The GDPR also does not apply to areas of law that are outside the scope of Union law, such as national security, and does not apply to purely personal or household activity.

The Law follows GDPR requirements closely, it sets forth specific rules regarding: (i) the processing of personal identification numbers; (ii) data processing for the journalistic purposes, (iii) processing for the purposes of academic, artistic or literary expression; and (iv) certification bodies services.

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Personal Data

What is personal data?

Personal data is information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person.

This is a broad term and includes a wide range of information. The GDPR expressly states it includes online identifiers such as cookies.

Is information about legal entities personal data?

No. However, information about sole traders and partnerships is likely to be personal data.

What are the rules for processing personal data?

All processing of personal data must comply with all six general data quality principles. Personal data must be: (i) processed fairly, lawfully and transparently; (ii) collected for specific, explicit and legitimate purposes and not processed in a manner incompatible with those purposes; (iii) adequate, relevant and not excessive; (iv) accurate and, where necessary, up to date; (v) kept in an identifiable form for no longer than necessary; and (vi) kept secure.

The processing of personal data must also satisfy at least one condition for processing personal data. These conditions are that the processing is: (a) carried out with the data subject’s consent; (b) necessary for the performance of a contract with the data subject; (c) necessary for compliance with a legal obligation; (d) necessary in order to protect the vital interests of the data subject; (e) necessary for the public interest or in the exercise of official authority; or (f) necessary for the controller’s or a third party's legitimate interests, except where overridden by the interests or fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject.

These rules are almost identical to the core requirements for processing personal data in the old Data Protection Directive. The European Data Protection Board has issued Guidelines on the performance of a contract processing condition for online services (2/2019).

Are there any formalities to obtain consent to process personal data?

The requirements for consent under the GDPR are strict. 

To be valid, consent must be in clear and plain language and, where sought in writing, separate from other matters. Consent must be based on affirmative action so pre-ticked boxes are not acceptable. Consent might not be valid if: (i) there is any detriment to the data subject for refusing; (ii) there is an imbalance of power; (iii) consent for multiple purposes is bundled together; or (iv) the consent is a condition of entering into a contract. Finally, consent can be withdrawn at any time.

In practice, other processing conditions should be relied on where possible. Consent will only be an appropriate processing condition if the individual has a genuine choice over the matter, for example, whether to be sent marketing materials. 

The European Data Protection Board has issued Guidelines on consent (5/2020).

Are there any special rules when processing personal data about children?

Consent from a child in relation to online services will only be valid if authorised by a parent. A child is someone under 16 years old, though Member States may reduce this age to 13.

The Law sets forth that in relation to online services a child can provide a valid consent at the age of 14 years old.

Are there any special rules when processing personal data about employees?

The GDPR allows Member States to implement more specific national rules governing the processing of personal data about employees. It may also be possible to process special category personal data where it is necessary for a legal obligation in the field of employment law.

The Law prohibits processing employees’ or candidates’ data related to criminal convictions or offences unless such personal data are necessary to verify if a person meets the legal requirements for a job. The data controller may collect personal data from former employer pertaining to the qualifications, professional abilities, and business qualities of a candidate applying for a position or to perform job functions, after informing the candidate. The data controller may also collect personal data of a candidate applying for a position from the current employer with the consent of the candidate.

When processing video and/or audio data in the workplace or premises of the controller where the controller’s employees work, and when processing personal data related to the monitoring of the behaviour, location, or movement of employees, those employees shall be informed of such data processing through a signed document or other means of communication.

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Sensitive Personal Data

What is sensitive personal data?

Special category data is personal data consisting of racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, or trade union membership, genetic data, biometric data, data concerning health or data concerning a natural person’s sex life or sexual orientation. The decision in OT (C-184/20) might suggest this should be interpreted broadly to include publication of information that indirectly discloses these characteristics. 

The inclusion of genetic and biometric data is new and an extension to the types of sensitive personal data in the Data Protection Directive.

Information about criminal offences is dealt with separately and is subject to even tighter controls.

Are there additional rules for processing sensitive personal data?

Special category data may only be processed if a condition for processing special category data is satisfied. A condition arises where the processing: (a) is carried out with the data subject’s explicit consent; (b) is necessary for a legal obligation in the fields of employment, social security and social protection law; (c) is necessary to protect the vital interests of the data subject or another person where the data subject is unable to give consent; (d) is carried out by a non-profit-seeking body and relates to members of that body or persons who have regular contact; (e) relates to data made public by the data subject; (f) is necessary for legal claims; (g) is for reasons of substantial public interest under EU or Member State law; (h) is necessary for healthcare reasons; (i) is necessary for public health reasons; or (j) is necessary for archiving, scientific or historical research purposes or statistical purposes and is based on EU or Member State law.

The Law does not specify additional conditions for the processing of sensitive personal data.

Are there additional rules for processing information about criminal offences?

It is only possible to process personal data relating to criminal convictions or offences if: (a) it is carried out under the control of official authority; or (b) when the processing is authorised by EU or Member State law providing for appropriate safeguards for the rights and freedoms of data subjects.

The Law prohibits processing employees’ or candidates’ data related to criminal convictions or offences unless such personal data are necessary to verify if a person meets the legal requirements for a job. A reform is expected to be considered, expanding the scope when criminal data might be processed.

In accordance with the Law of the Republic of Lithuania on the Legal Protection of Personal Data, Processed for the Purposes of Prevention, Investigation, Detection or Prosecution of Criminal Offences, or the Execution of Criminal Penalties, or National Security, or Defence, data processing shall only be lawful if it is necessary and to the extent required for the performance of the functions of the competent authority as specified in this Law. Such processing must be based on the legal acts of the European Union or the Republic of Lithuania.

The legal acts of the Republic of Lithuania that regulate the processing of personal data must specify the purposes of data processing, the personal data to be processed, and other requirements for data processing aimed at ensuring the lawful processing of personal data.

Are there any formalities to obtain consent to process sensitive personal data?

Consent to process sensitive personal data must be explicit. The general restrictions on consent, set out above, will also apply. This suggests a degree of formality, such as ticking a box containing the express words “I consent”. It is unlikely explicit consent could be obtained through a course of conduct.

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Data Protection Officers

When must a data protection officer be appointed?

Both controllers and processors must appoint a data protection officer if: (i) they are a public authority; (ii) their core activities consist of regular and systematic monitoring of data subjects on a large scale; or (iii) their core activities consist of processing special category personal data on a large scale (including processing information about criminal offences).

The Law does not specify any additional requirements to appoint a data protection officer.

What are the duties of the data protection officer?

The data protection officer must be involved in all data protection issues and cannot be dismissed or penalised for performing their role. The data protection officer must report directly to the highest level of management. Details of the data protection officer must be communicated to the relevant supervisory authority. 

The Article 29 Working Party has issued Guidelines on Data Protection Officers (WP243).

The Inspectorate has issued guidance to assist public and private sector with appointing a data protection officer.

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Accountability and Privacy Impact Assessments

Is there a general accountability obligation?

The GDPR adds a new general accountability obligation under which you must not only comply with these new rules, but also be able to demonstrate you comply with them. This means ensuring suitable policies are in place supported by audit and training.

Are privacy impact assessments mandatory?

A privacy impact assessment must be conducted where “high risk” processing is carried out. This includes: (a) systematic and extensive profiling that produces legal effects or significantly affects individuals; (b) processing on a large scale either special categories of personal data or personal data relating to criminal convictions and offences; and (c) systematic monitoring of a publicly accessible area on a large scale (e.g. CCTV). Where the assessment indicates the risk cannot be mitigated, the controller must consult the relevant supervisory authority.

The Article 29 Working Party has subsequently issued Guidelines on Data Protection Impact Assessments (WP 248). It suggests there are nine criteria to consider to determine whether to conduct a privacy impact assessment, and that an assessment should be made if two or more of those criteria are met. This is arguably wider than the criteria set out in the paragraph above

In Lithuania, the Inspectorate has issued an order detailing the situations when a privacy impact assessment is needed. These include processing of telephone conversation recordings, using biometric data and more.

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Rights of Data Subjects

Privacy notices

controller must provide data subjects with a privacy notice setting out how the individual’s personal data will be processed. The privacy notice must contain the enhanced transparency information.

The Article 29 Working Party has issued Guidelines on Transparency (WP260).

In Lithuania, there is no obligation to provide this information in Lithuanian, though it may be difficult to show that the information has been fairly provided if it is not in a language the data subject is familiar with.

Rights to access information

Data subjects will have a right to access copies of their personal data by making a written request to the controller. The initial request is free, though a charge can be made for subsequent requests. Controllers can refuse the request if it is manifestly unfounded or excessive. The right to obtain a copy of personal data should not adversely affect the rights and freedoms of others. The response must be provided within a month, though this can be extended by two months if the request is complex

The European Data Protection Board has issued Guidelines on rights of access (1/2022).

Following the Law of the Republic of Lithuania on Intelligence, the scope of access request may be restricted if the information can affect national security.

Rights to data portability

Data subjects will also have a right to data portability where the condition for processing personal data is consent or the performance of a contract. It entitles individuals to obtain any personal data they have “provided” to the controller in a machine-readable format. Individuals can also ask for the data to be transferred directly from one controller to another. There is no right to charge fees for this service.

The Article 29 Working Party has issued Guidelines on data portability (WP242).

Right to be forgotten

data subject can ask that their data be deleted in certain circumstances. However, those circumstances are relatively limited, for example where the processing is based on consent, that consent is withdrawn and there are no other grounds for processing. Even where the right does arise, there are range of exemptions, for example where there is a legal obligation to retain the data. 

The European Data Protection Board has issued Guidelines on the criteria of the Right to be Forgotten in the search engines cases under the GDPR (part 1) (5/2019).

Objection to direct marketing

data subject can object to their personal data being processed for direct marketing purposes at any time. This includes profiling to the extent related to direct marketing.

Other rights

The GDPR contains a range of other rights, including a right to have inaccurate data corrected. There is also a right to object to processing being carried out in the performance of a public task or under the legitimate interests condition

Finally, there are controls on taking decisions based solely on automated decision making that produce legal effects or similarly significantly affects the data subjectThe Article 29 Working Party has issued Guidelines on Automated Decision Making and Profiling (WP251).

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Security

Security requirements in order to protect personal data

The GDPR contains a general obligation to implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal data.

In addition, controllers and processors must ensure, where appropriate: (i) the pseudonymisation and encryption of personal data; (ii) the ability to ensure the ongoing confidentiality, integrity, availability and resilience of its information technology systems; (iii) the ability to restore the availability and access to personal data in a timely manner in the event of a physical or technical incident; and (iv) a process for regularly testing, assessing and evaluating the effectiveness of technical and organisational measures for ensuring the security of the processing

Specific rules governing processing by third party agents (processors)

controller must ensure that any processor it instructs will ensure adequate security for personal data and otherwise meet the requirements of the GDPR.

The controller must have written contracts with its processor containing the enhanced processor clauses.

Notice of breach laws

A personal data breach must be notified to the relevant supervisory authority unless it is unlikely to result in a risk to data subjects. The notification must, where feasible, be made within 72 hours. If the personal data breach is a high risk for data subjects, those data subjects must also be notified. 

Specific notice of breach laws apply to the electronic communications sector under national laws implementing the Privacy and Electronic Communications Directive and to operators of essential services and digital service providers under national laws implementing the Network and Information Systems Directive.

The European Data Protection Board has issued Guidelines on Personal Data Breach Notification (9/2022) and Examples regarding Personal Data Breach Notification (1/2021)

The Law does not specify any additional requirements for notice of breach. However, the Inspectorate has issued an instruction on personal data breach notices which aims to assist data controllers to report a breach. The Inspectorate has also issued a recommended data breach notification form. The data breach notifications can be submitted online using the website of the Inspectorate.

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Transfer of Personal Data to Third Countries

Restrictions on transfers to third countries

The GDPR contains a restriction on transborder dataflows. This restriction does not apply if the transfer is to a whitelisted country.

Transfers can be made: (i) pursuant to a set of Standard Contractual Clauses; (ii) pursuant to binding corporate rules; (iii) to an importer who has signed up to an approved code or obtained an approved certification; or (iv) where otherwise approved by the relevant supervisory authority. However, following the decision in Schrems II (C-311/18) any transfer made on this basis must be subject to a transfer impact assessment of the laws of the relevant third country and supplemented by supplementary protections where necessary.

The European Data Protection Board has issued Recommendation on European Essential Guarantees for surveillance measures (2/2020) and a Recommendation on measures that supplement transfer tools (1/2020) to help conduct this transfer impact assessment. The European Commission has also issued an FAQ on the new Standard Contractual Clauses.

Transfers are also possible if an individual derogation applies. These derogations allow a transfer if it: (i) is made with the data subject’s explicit consent; (ii) is necessary for the performance of a contract with, or in the interests of, the data subject; (iii) is necessary or legally required on important public interest grounds, or for legal claims; (iv) is necessary to protect the vital interests of the data subject; (v) is made from a public register; or (vi) is made under the so-called minor transfer exemption. 

The European Data Protection Board has issued Guidelines on derogations applicable to international transfers (2/2018)Finally, the European Data Protection Board has issued Guidelines on the interplay between Article 3 and international transfers (2/2018) to help identify when a transfer takes place.

Notification and approval of national regulator (including notification of use of Standard Contractual Clauses)

In general, there is no need for prior approval from a supervisory authority. However, this depends on the justification for the transfer. 

For example, there will be no obligation to get approval for the use of Standard Contractual Clauses (though it is possible some supervisory authorities may want to be notified of their use). In contrast, it will be necessary to get approval to rely on binding corporate rules, and the supervisory authority must be informed of transfers made using the minor transfers exemption.

According to the Law, the Inspectorate is in charge of issuing the approval to transfer personal data to third countries or international organisations. The approval shall be issued no later than within 20 working days (in certain cases – 30 working days) after the Inspectorate receives all necessary documents and information for issuing the approval. The Inspectorate has issued the recommended request for data transfer authorization form.

Use of binding corporate rules

The GDPR places binding corporate rules on a statutory footing. It will be possible to obtain authorisation from one supervisory authority (subject to approval through the consistency mechanism) that will cover transfers from anywhere in the EU.

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Enforcement

Fines

The GDPR is intended to make data protection a boardroom issue. It introduces an antitrust-type sanction regime with fines of up to 4% of annual worldwide turnover or €20m, whichever is the greater. These fines apply to breaches of many of the provisions of the GDPR, including failure to comply with the six general data quality principles or carrying out processing without satisfying a condition for processing personal data.

A limited number of breaches fall into a lower tier and so are subject to fines of up to 2% of annual worldwide turnover or €10m, whichever is the greater. Failing to notify a personal data breach or failing to put an adequate contract in place with a processor fall into this lower tier.

Fines can only be imposed where there is an intentional or negligent infringement of the GDPR, see Deutsche Wohnen (C-807/21).

The EDPB has published Guidelines on the calculation of administrative fines (04/2022).

The Law provisions state that the Head of the Inspectorate or the Inspector, or their representative have a right to impose a fine for breaching the GDPR or the Law.

Imprisonment

The Criminal Code of the Republic of Lithuania sets forth that it is a criminal offence to unlawfully: (i) collect information about the private life of a person; and / or (ii) disclose or use information about the private life of a person. These offences may be punishable by imprisonment of up to three years.

Compensation

Data subjects have a right to compensation in respect of material and non-material damage. This requires more than a mere infringement of the GDPR and there must be actual material or non-material damage, however there is no minimum threshold of seriousness before compensation is available, see Österreichische Post (C-300/21). 

Other powers

Regulators will have a range of other powers and sanctions at their disposal. This includes investigative powers, such as the ability to demand information from controllers and processors, and to carry out audits. They will also have corrective powers enabling them to issue warnings or reprimands, to enforce an individual’s rights and to issue a temporary or permanent ban on processing

Practice

FinesSome of the most significant fines issued by the Inspectorate are set out below:

  • In September 2023, a legal entity providing healthcare services and a natural persona doctorwere fined €6,000 and €840 respectively for posting patient photos on social media. It was found that the applicant, the controller, the doctor, and individuals familiar with the applicant could easily identify him and establish his identity from the images published in the photographs. Consequently, the published photographs qualified as the applicant's personal data. Both the natural person and the doctor attempted, unsuccessfully, to obtain explicit consent from the applicant. By making the photographs public without this consent, they violated regulations specifying the conditions for lawful processing of health data. Since the controller failed to demonstrate that the doctor acted under the authority of the employer, the Inspectorate concluded that the doctor, who is an employee of the complainant, functioned as an autonomous controller. As such, he is personally accountable and responsible for his actions in publishing the photographs on his personal social network account.
  • In April 2023, a private legal entity was fined €20,000 for failing to ensure adequate confidentiality, integrity, availability, and robustness of personal data, along with a breach of the data retention period principle. The incident occurred within the company's information system, which lacked measures to ensure proper access control and authentication for IT system administrators and other privileged users. Additionally, the company failed to demonstrate that the established retention period for personal data was necessary for retaining the information of all its customers and proportionate to the pursued objectives.
  • In December 2022, a company that manages sports clubs was fined €6,000 for irregularities in the processing of biometric data. The consent obtained from customers for the processing of their biometric data was not truly voluntary. When customers checked in at the self-service terminal, the exclusive means of access to the sports club was through biometric data. The Inspectorate uncovered that there were no alternative methods for accessing the sports club, and no information notice was provided regarding other available access methods. Additionally, during the registration process as a new customer at the self-service terminal, no information on the processing of personal data was presented to customers. Furthermore, the company failed to conduct a Data Protection Impact Assessment before processing special categories of personal data and neglected to maintain records of its activities.
  • In December 2022, a company providing creditworthiness services was fined €20,000 for the unlawful processing of data on financial commitments. The investigation revealed that, according to the provisions of the data processing agreement between the company and the financial institution (the “Agreement“), the data on the financial obligations held by the applicant could not be used for compiling the applicant's credit report and credit rating. The specified purpose of using the personal data was not outlined in the Agreement, and the company failed to demonstrate any obligations as data controllers to process this personal data for compiling the credit report and calculating the credit rating.
  • In May 2022, an IT company was fined €35,000 for its failure to ensure the continuous availability, confidentiality, integrity, and resilience of data processing systems and services. The company suffered a data breach that exposed information from 130,000 customers due to a lack of implementation of organizational and technical security measures in crucial areas like access control, authentication, workstation, and network security. Specifically, the IT company neglected proper access control and user authentication protocols, failed to adequately secure workstations, and omitted the capture or storage of technical logs for identification, monitoring, and tracking of users' actions. These oversights led to unauthorized access by third parties to the company's IT customer data.

Other enforcement action:  The Inspectorate provides guidelines and FAQ summaries with guidance and answers to most common questions. The topics include the processing of biometric data, collection of health data from employees, recommendations on remote work organization, etc. The Inspectorate also provides written and oral (telephone) consultations upon need.

The public has also seen a rise in fines issued by the Inspectorate, increasing from 6 in 2019 to 26 in 2021.

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ePrivacy | Marketing and cookies

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National Legislation

ePrivacy laws

The Law on Electronic Communications (“LOEC”) fully implemented the Privacy and Electronic Communications Directive.

The LOEC was amended on 1 August 2011 to implement the amendments to the Privacy and Electronic Communications Directive.

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Cookies

Conditions for use of cookies

Under the LOEC, the use and storage of cookies requires that clear and comprehensive information is provided to data subjects and the consent of the website user is obtained. Consent is not required for cookies that are used for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network or that are strictly necessary for the provision of a service requested by the user.

Regulatory guidance on the use of cookies

The Inspectorate has published recommendations about the method of consent to the use for cookies. Samples of incorrect use are provided, and further guidance is indicated.

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Marketing by E-mail

Conditions for direct marketing by e-mail to individual subscribers

The LOEC prohibits the use of e-mail for advertising purposes without prior and free consent of the addressees. The LOEC is designed to be implemented along with the Law, which provides that personal data may be processed for the purpose of direct marketing if this purpose is expressly declared during the collection of the data and the data subject has given his express consent.

The practice of the Inspectorate suggests that the right of consent must be clearly and separately explained to the data subject, and silence (no response) shall not be considered as consent.

Under the LOEC, when an e-mail address has been collected directly from the consumer on the occasion of a sale of goods or provision of services, and the marketing solicitations concern products or services similar to those already supplied by the same legal entity, separate prior consent is not needed provided that the consumer can oppose to marketing in an easy, clear manner and free of charge. This exception does not apply if the consumer has previously objected to such processing. An emphasis should be made to the fact that only e-mails are covered in this exception. In addition, it is forbidden to send emails for the purpose of direct marketing when the sender information is hidden, when there is no valid address at which the consumer could refuse to receive direct marketing or when the consumer is encouraged to visit a website that does not comply with Information Society Services Law of the Republic of Lithuania. 

Conditions for direct marketing by e-mail to corporate subscribers

The same rules as for individual subscribers apply as long as a data subject is involved. The Inspectorate has clarified that even if the contact details of the representatives of corporate subscribers are publicly available on the company’s website, a consent is still needed. In addition, the Law of the Republic of Lithuania on Advertising stipulates that advertising by e-mail is allowed only with consumer’s prior consent.

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Marketing by Telephone

Conditions for direct marketing by telephone to individual subscribers (excludes automated calls)

Generally, direct marketing in any form (including direct marketing by telephone) is not allowed without the prior consent of the individuals who are targeted by such direct marketing. The Inspectorate has publicly expressed its opinion that calls to randomly chosen individual telephone subscribers, and calls requesting the consent of the individual, are considered direct marketing. The Inspectorate has also further clarified that consent for direct marketing cannot be obtained concurrently while using direct marketing (e.g. calling a data subject to ask for consent when offering goods at the same time).

Conditions for direct marketing by telephone to corporate subscribers (excludes automated calls)

The same rules as for individual subscribers apply as long as a data subject is involved. The Law of the Republic of Lithuania on Advertising stipulates that advertising by telephone is allowed only with consumer’s prior consent. In addition, prior consent must be obtained even if the number of the representative of the corporate subscriber is public.

Exemptions and other issues

Not applicable.

The similar products and services exemption is available if marketed to existing customers.

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