Use of AI, confidentiality and personal data protection
When providing legal services, I use artificial intelligence tools and other modern technologies. They are used as supporting tools in my professional work as a lawyer.
Artificial intelligence does not independently advise clients or make decisions concerning them. I personally review and provide the final legal assessment – lawyer Igor Smirnov.
Confidentiality and data minimisation
The fact that a person has contacted a lawyer, the content of the consultation, and the information and documents provided by the client are confidential.
I process only the information necessary to assess the specific legal issue and provide legal assistance. Therefore, in the initial enquiry I ask clients not to provide excessive personal data. If additional information or documents are required, I will request them specifically.
Providing data is voluntary; however, if information necessary to assess a particular legal issue is not provided, a legal assessment may not be possible.
Technology tools
In my legal work I use Google Workspace (Gmail and Google Drive) and OpenAI technology tools. They are used subject to the data protection and privacy safeguards provided by the service providers, together with additional access and data-minimisation restrictions applied by me.
OpenAI settings are configured so that content provided during consultations is not used to train models. Under the privacy terms applicable to Google Workspace, its content is not used for advertising or for training generative artificial intelligence models without permission.
Where applicable, international transfers of personal data are subject to the safeguards provided for in Chapter V of the GDPR (in simple terms, if Google or OpenAI, due to their international infrastructure, technically process certain data outside the European Economic Area, the transfer must be subject to the data protection safeguards required by the GDPR).
How long is information retained?
Information received during a consultation is retained for as long as the consultation is actually ongoing. Its conclusion may be expressly confirmed in correspondence or may be considered to have occurred where the course of the consultation and objective circumstances show that the consultation has ended and will not continue.
If, following the initial consultation, we agree on a further engagement – for example, preparation of documents, conduct of a case or representation – the data and documents relating to that engagement continue to be retained to the extent necessary for carrying out the engagement and for fulfilling the lawyer’s professional and legal obligations.
Article 39(1)(6) of the Law of the Republic of Lithuania on the Bar requires a lawyer to retain documents relating to legal practice in accordance with the Law of the Republic of Lithuania on Documents and Archives. Article 13 of the Law on Documents and Archives provides that where a retention period for a particular document is prescribed by law, that period applies; where no specific period is prescribed, the retention period is determined having regard to the obligations and legitimate interests connected with the document.
In other cases, personal data is retained no longer than necessary for the purposes for which it is processed, for compliance with legal obligations, or for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims.
Purpose and legal basis of data processing
Personal data is processed in order to assess the legal situation presented, provide legal assistance, comply with the legal and professional obligations applicable to a lawyer and, where necessary, establish, exercise or defend legal claims.
Depending on the particular circumstances, the processing of personal data is based on Article 6(1)(b), (c) or (f) of the GDPR. Where the processing of special categories of personal data is necessary for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims, it is based on Article 9(2)(f) of the GDPR.
No automated decisions producing legal effects or similarly significant effects for the client are made.
Your rights
You have the data-subject rights provided for in Articles 15–22 of the GDPR and the right under Article 77 of the GDPR to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority.
Data controller: lawyer Igor Smirnov
Contact: [email protected]
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