Case C-474/24, NADA Austria and Others, concerns Austria’s anti-doping rules requiring public disclosure of athletes’ sanctions. Athletes challenged the publication of their names, violations, and prohibited substances, claiming it violated their data protection rights. The Austrian Federal Administrative Court referred the case to the CJEU to clarify GDPR applicability and whether national disclosure laws comply.

On 25 September, Advocate General Spielmann issued his opinion, confirming that GDPR applies and health-related data (e.g., prohibited substances implying health status) counts as sensitive. He stressed that publication must be necessary, proportionate, and transparent, with a case-by-case balancing of public interest against privacy. Spielmann suggested sharing names with anti-doping bodies while limiting public disclosure to pseudonymised information, ensuring transparency and deterrence while protecting athletes’ privacy.