Annotation

The article examines the problem of protecting personal data contained in paper-based criminal case files under the current procedure for access to preliminary investigation materials and their copying by participants in criminal proceedings. The authors argue that personal data included in a criminal case file should not be fully equated with preliminary investigation information, since such data have an independent legal nature and are protected by special legislation. The article identifies the lack of a general mechanism in the Criminal Procedure Code of the Russian Federation for differentiating access to personal data whose disclosure to all participants in proceedings is not necessary for the exercise of their procedural rights. The authors propose the doctrinal category of “personal data subject to limited procedural access”. It is concluded that a procedural regime should be introduced under which the full document remains in the criminal case file and remains available for verification, while access to extended personal details is granted only when procedurally necessary.