Article 81Limitations to the right of access

1. The controller may restrict, wholly or partly, the data subject’s right of access to the extent that, and for as long as, such a partial or complete restriction constitutes a necessary and proportionate measure in a democratic society with due regard for the fundamental rights and legitimate interests of the natural person concerned, in order to:

(a)

avoid obstructing official or legal inquiries, investigations or procedures;

(b)

avoid prejudicing the prevention, detection, investigation or prosecution of criminal offences or the execution of criminal penalties;

(c)

protect the public security of Member States;

(d)

protect the national security of Member States;

(e)

protect the rights and freedoms of others, such as victims and witnesses.

2. In the cases referred to in paragraph 1, the controller shall inform the data subject, without undue delay, in writing of any refusal or restriction of access and of the reasons for the refusal or the restriction. Such information may be omitted where the provision thereof would undermine a purpose under paragraph 1. The controller shall inform the data subject of the possibility of lodging a complaint with the European Data Protection Supervisor or of seeking a judicial remedy before the Court of Justice. The controller shall document the factual or legal reasons on which the decision is based. That information shall be made available to the European Data Protection Supervisor on request.