According to the Government Communication Office (UKOM), the bill transposes the GDPR so as to safeguard the right of people to privacy and protect the interests of companies.

It added that the law will keep the achieved level of personal data privacy in Slovenia to the greatest extend.

UKOM noted that it was important for the new law to enter into force before the GDPR regulation takes effect on 25 May.

The bill systemically regulates the rights and obligations as well as procedures and oversight regarding the handling of personal data.

It for instance strengthens the oversight role of the national Information Commissioner, and bans using data obtained in direct marketing for political purposes.

The government sent the bill to the National Assembly, asking it to fast-track it through parliament.

At a recent debate hosted by AmCham Slovenia, it was said that many Slovenian companies were already preparing for a major change in how they treat personal data.

The stakeholders also stressed the GDPR regulation would be directly applicable even if no national law was passed by 25 May.