FantasticSearch

1. Where a group of organisers does not use the central online collection system, it may collect online statements of support in several or all Member States through another single online collection system (the ‘individual online collection system’). The data collected through the individual online collection system shall be stored in the territory of a Member State.

2. The group of organisers shall ensure that the individual online collection system complies with the requirements laid down in paragraph 4 of this Article and in Article 18(3) throughout the collection period.

3. After the registration of the initiative and before the beginning of the collection period, and without prejudice to the powers of the national supervisory authorities under Chapter VI of Regulation (EU) 2016/679, the group of organisers shall request the competent authority of the Member State in which the data collected through the individual online collection system will be stored to certify that that system complies with the requirements laid down in paragraph 4 of this Article.

Where an individual online collection system complies with the requirements laid down in paragraph 4 of this Article, the competent authority shall issue a certificate to that effect in accordance with the model set out in Annex IV within one month of the request. The group of organisers shall make a copy of that certificate publicly available on the website used for the individual online collection system. Member States shall recognise the certificates issued by the competent authorities of other Member States.

4. Individual online collection systems shall have the adequate security and technical features to ensure throughout the collection period that:

(a) only natural persons are able to sign a statement of support;

(b) the information provided on the initiative corresponds to the information published in the register;

(c) data are collected from signatories in accordance with Annex III;

(d) the data provided by signatories are securely collected and stored.

5. By 1 January 2020, the Commission shall adopt implementing acts laying down the technical specifications for the implementation of paragraph 4 of this Article. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 22. The Commission may seek the advice of the European Union Agency for Network and Information Security (ENISA) in developing the technical specifications referred to in the first subparagraph.

6. Where statements of support are collected through an individual online collection system, the collection period may begin only once the certificate referred to in paragraph 3 has been issued for that system.

7. This Article shall apply only to initiatives registered in accordance with Article 6 by 31 December 2022.