Yes, scraping public data in Hungary is generally permissible under strict conditions. Publicly accessible information—such as government records, court rulings, or corporate filings—may be collected, provided automated methods do not violate data protection or copyright laws. The Hungarian National Authority for Data Protection and Freedom of Information (NAIH) oversees compliance, emphasizing proportionality and transparency in data collection practices.
Key Regulations for Scraping Public Data in Hungary
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General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Alignment: Even public data may contain personal identifiers. Scrapers must anonymize or pseudonymize such data to avoid GDPR violations, as enforced by the NAIH. Automated collection triggering excessive processing could breach Article 5(1)(c) of GDPR.
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Copyright and Database Rights: Publicly available data does not automatically grant reuse rights. The Hungarian Copyright Act (1999:LXXVI) protects structured databases (e.g., court registers), requiring explicit permission for commercial scraping under Article 4(3). Non-commercial use may fall under exceptions, but case law remains ambiguous.
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NAIH’s 2024 Guidelines: The NAIH’s updated 2024 guidance on automated data collection mandates prior notification for large-scale scraping projects. Failure to comply risks fines up to €20 million or 4% of global turnover under GDPR Article 83(5). Local courts have begun referencing these guidelines in disputes involving web scraping.