On Tuesday, the Sejm elected Mirosław Wróblewski as chairman of the Office for the Protection of Personal Data (UODO). Wróblewski received backing from the KO club, narrowly defeating Jakub Groszkowski, who currently serves as vice president of the Office for the Protection of Personal Data and was backed by PiS. The voting results showed broad support for Wróblewski with 240 MPs in favor, while Groszkowski gathered 169 votes. The Sejm’s choice still awaits Senate approval before taking full effect.
The Office for the Protection of Personal Data stands as the central government body responsible for oversight of personal data protection in Poland. Under current law, the Sejm appoints the chairman for a four-year term, subject to the Senate’s consent. Notably, in April 2019, Jan Nowak was appointed by the Sejm and confirmed by the Senate to lead the Office. His term ended in May 2023, and since then no successor has been formally elected, leaving Nowak to continue in the role. This ongoing vacancy has meant the Office has continued its operations under a temporary leadership arrangement.
The Data Protection Agency plays a critical role in monitoring how personal data is handled within the country. The president of the Office holds the authority to file requests for legislative changes or for creating or amending legal acts related to personal data protection. This authority also includes the power to initiate disciplinary actions or other legal procedures against individuals who infringe data protection provisions. The institution ensures that compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation remains a priority across sectors and public administration.
Within its remit, the president of the Office oversees proceedings in cases involving violations of data protection laws. The oversight framework provides the basis for imposing penalties on entities that fail to meet GDPR requirements. This enforcement mechanism is designed to preserve individuals’ privacy rights while maintaining a predictable regulatory environment for organizations operating in Poland and serving Polish citizens.
Mirosław Wróblewski brings a strong background to the chairmanship. He currently leads the Constitutional, International and European Law Team within the Office of the Ombudsman. His educational foundation includes studies in law and political science with a focus on international relations. Wróblewski has contributed to a substantial body of scholarly work in constitutional, international and European law, as well as in human rights protection. Over recent years, he has prepared or helped shape positions for the Commissioner for Human Rights and has represented the Commissioner in legal proceedings and before the Constitutional Court. Earlier in his career, he participated in the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights by serving on its Management Board from 2012 to 2017, a tenure that underscores his experience at the intersection of national and EU-level human rights frameworks.
This breadth of experience signals a leadership approach oriented toward upholding individual rights while aligning with broader constitutional and international standards. The selection process reflects the ongoing effort to strengthen Poland’s data protection architecture in line with evolving privacy norms and regulatory expectations. As the new leadership is considered, stakeholders in government, business, and civil society will be watching closely how the office navigates emerging challenges in data security, cross-border data flows, and digital governance. The eventual confirmation by the Senate will finalize the appointment and set the course for the Office’s activities in the coming years, including potential initiatives to refine and enforce data protection measures across public and private sectors.
The Office continues to play a pivotal role in defending privacy, guiding organizations on compliance, and providing a clear path for the lawful processing of personal data across all areas of public administration and the private sector. Its work remains central to the integrity of digital life in Poland and to maintaining trust in how personal information is stored, used, and protected in the modern economy. By maintaining rigorous oversight, the office supports the rights of individuals while helping businesses operate within a stable and predictable regulatory environment. In this landscape, leadership changes are more than administrative shifts; they signal how Poland intends to balance innovation with privacy, security, and human rights in an increasingly data-driven world.