GDPR in Belgium: mistakes that cost companies dearly

GDPR in Belgium: a strict framework, real sanctions

The Belgian Data Protection Authority (DPA) is one of the most active in Europe. In 2025, it issued 147 decisions and imposed over 3 million euros in fines. SMEs are not spared: 38% of sanctions concern companies with fewer than 50 employees.

The 7 most common GDPR mistakes

1. Missing processing register — Mandatory for every company, regardless of size.
2. Non-compliant consent — Pre-checked boxes, implicit consent, or dark patterns are sanctioned.
3. Outdated privacy policy — Your policy must reflect actual practices and be updated with every processing change.
4. Missing DPO when required — Public bodies and companies processing sensitive data at scale must appoint one.
5. Non-compliance with right to erasure — You must be able to delete an individual's data within 30 days upon request.
6. Unregulated transfers outside the EU — Using US cloud services without standard contractual clauses remains a frequent violation.
7. Failure to notify breaches — Every data breach must be reported to the DPA within 72 hours.

Sanctions in practice

• Warning for minor good-faith shortcomings
• Fines from €5,000 to €50,000 for non-compliant SMEs
• Up to 4% of global turnover for serious or repeated violations

Getting compliant efficiently

GDPR compliance is not a one-time project but a continuous process. Specialized AI agents can help maintain your processing register, generate automated impact assessments, draft compliant privacy policies, and ensure permanent regulatory monitoring.