Romanian privacy authority penalizes Călin Georgescu for improper cookie use and data gathering on his website
Calin Georgescu, a prominent far-right populist in Romania, has been issued a fine of over RON 50,000 by the country's data protection authority for violating both Romanian and EU privacy regulations. The fine was issued following an investigation by the National Supervisory Authority for Personal Data Processing (ANSPDCP), which concluded in June 2025.
Between December 6, 2024, and April 3, 2025, Georgescu's personal website installed cookies on users' devices without obtaining explicit consent or providing clear information about their purpose. This practice is against Romanian Law No. 506/2004, which permits such practices only when users are both informed and have agreed to the data processing.
Moreover, users who submitted personal information via the site's contact form were not informed about how their data would be processed, a clear breach of transparency obligations under Articles 12 to 14 of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). As a result, Georgescu was fined RON 30,000 for violating Romanian e-privacy law and an additional RON 20,286 (equivalent to EUR 4,000) for GDPR violations.
The data protection authority emphasized that all website operators, regardless of public profile, must comply with legal obligations to protect users' personal data and ensure full transparency in data collection and use. This fine serves as a reminder that data privacy and protection are essential rights that must be respected by everyone, regardless of their position or public status.
It is essential to note that there are no publicly available details or credible evidence indicating that Georgescu has committed violations of data protection regulations in Romania or the European Union beyond the aforementioned fine. The documented legal and political issues involving Georgescu center on allegations related to electoral interference and criminal charges, but not data protection breaches.
Despite these recent developments, Georgescu announced his withdrawal from active political life in May 2025, citing a desire to focus on his family. He currently faces judicial investigation for promoting war criminals, fascist, legionary, racist, and xenophobic ideas.
This news serves as a reminder to all website operators to prioritize data privacy and protection, ensuring that users' personal information is handled with the utmost care and transparency.
Technology plays a crucial role in managing and storing personal data, and adherence to privacy regulations is essential for all websites, regardless of public profile. Calin Georgescu's fine for data protection violations underscores the importance of transparency in technology use to protect user's personal information.
