ECJ: Illegally obtained evidence can be used in civil proceedings (heise.de)

• ECJ allows use of illegally obtained evidence in civil cases.
• Fair trial right trumps absolute data protection.
• Courts must limit third-party disclosure and minimize data.
• Ruling prevents misuse of GDPR to block evidence.

"The European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that national courts may use illegally obtained personal data as evidence in civil cases. The right to a fair trial outweighs absolute data protection. However, courts must strictly limit the disclosure of such data to third parties and apply measures like redaction. The ruling stemmed from a dispute where an employer unlawfully accessed an employee's password to prove theft."