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PDPS recognizing the head of security service in Evolution Georgia LLC as a violator in a half a year long smear campaign against a striker

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The Personal Data Protection Service has recognized the head of the security service of Evolution Georgia LLC as a violator of personal data protection regulations.

As reported, on July 11, a "Mautskebeli" aired video footage (censored) [Preview] showing employees of Evolution Georgia LLC, including women, changing clothes in an area under video surveillance. This footage was shared publicly, raising concerns over personal data protection.

There is a private Facebook group, known as "Evo Facebook," that consists solely of Evolution Georgia employees, including management personnel. The head of the security service was also a member of this group until July 13.

At approximately 00:30 on July 13, an anonymous Facebook account posted the following message:

"Evo-Union! You claim that you had nothing to do with it, but I already gave the time and day when they would film the lockers, and they will see it because I was there and I know who filmed it! Salome Manjapharashvili."

In response, a Facebook user commented:

"If you were there, why didn't you speak up?"

The head of the security service, who was also a member of the Evo Facebook group, responded:

"I didn't even realize we were being filmed. We later spent a lot of time trying to figure out who did it."

Since the status was posted, Salome has faced ongoing harassment and shaming from Evolution Georgia employees. This continued even in private conversations and physical interactions, with some employees accusing her of "filming naked employees." Notably, no disciplinary actions were taken against Salome for the incident.

Additionally, after the comments from the head of security were publicly criticized in the Evo Facebook group, the anonymous account deleted the post within minutes, and the head of security promptly left the group. This suggests an attempt to delete evidence. Despite this, Evolution Georgia’s head of security and the company’s representatives denied using Facebook during the time the comment was posted and deleted, claiming it was an unauthorized action by someone else. This explanation was widely dismissed as implausible.

As a result, the Personal Data Protection Service officially recognized Evolution Georgia’s head of security as violators of personal data protection laws.

Salome Manjapharashvili also filed a formal complaint with the company, requesting disciplinary action against the head of security, but no measures were taken.

From a labor law perspective, it seems clear that the goal of the head of security was to discredit Salome Manjapharashvili, who was one of the active participants in a strike and a member of Trade Union. The company’s failure to acknowledge the legal or confidentiality violations committed by the head of security suggests that Evolution Georgia is shielding employees in management positions. In our view, the head of security acted in concert with the company.

The incident, in which Evolution Georgia employees were filmed during changing clothes in a monitored area, underscores the need for stronger protection of personal data and employee rights. Salome Manjapharashvili’s interests were represented by labor lawyer Tamila Gabaidze.