Italy’s Privacy Watchdog Fines Emirates Over Handling Of Passenger Health Data

Rome : Italy’s data protection authority said on Wednesday it had fined airline Emirates €180,000 ($208,890) for allegedly unfairly handling health data of passengers with reduced mobility.

The case stemmed from a complaint from a passenger who said Emirates filled out a medical form even though it was not among the categories required to submit such documents.

The Italian regulator found that the processing of health data was lawful, as required to guarantee safe transport and assistance, but found breaches in transparency and data storage limits.

The official said Emirates failed to provide sufficiently clear and complete privacy information either on its website or through staff assisting passengers.

He also stated that the airline retained health data collected through medical forms for seven years, which he said was excessive and disproportionate.

Emirates was not immediately available for comment.