Lubna Luxmi Dhirani, an expert in regulation at the University of Limerick and a Cyber Skills team member, joined PJ Coogan on Cork’s 96fm radio to discuss a pressing question:

Are unsolicited campaign texts violating GDPR laws? 

With the local elections just passed, Lubna’s insights couldn’t have been more relevant. Political campaigns often justify their outreach using GDPR’s “legitimate interests” clause or public interest exemptions. But when voters receive

 unexpected texts or calls, it raises concerns about how their data is being used—and whether their rights are being respected. 

 

Know Your GDPR Rights 

GDPR ensures your personal data is processed fairly, lawfully, and transparently. Key protections include: 

• Consent: Politicians must have explicit consent or a lawful basis to contact you.
• Access and Rectification: You have the right to see what data is held about you and correct inaccuracies.
• Fair Processing: Data use must align with legal grounds under GDPR Article 6. 

If political campaigns can’t clearly justify their use of your contact details, they could be breaching the law—a concern Lubna expertly addressed in her interview. 

 

Why This Matters 

As voters, understanding data protection is essential to ensuring a fair democratic process and protecting personal privacy. If you’re unsure about your rights, visit the Data Protection Commission’s website for guidance. 

 

🎙️Listen to Lubna’s full interview here: The Opinion Line with PJ Coogan

 

A huge congratulations to Lubna for her timely and impactful insights—helping us navigate the intersection of democracy, privacy, and data protection.