Digital Omnibus: is the EU weakening data protection?
The European Commission's Digital Omnibus legislative package aims to simplify EU regulations in the areas of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data protection and data management in response to tech industry demands. Commentators discuss whether the legislation is detrimental to civil rights.
At the expense of fundamental rights
New technologies expert Jacques Folon fears a turn for the worse in Le Soir:
“If the Digital Omnibus goes unchallenged by the European Parliament, the European Council or the European Court of Justice, it will mark a turning point: the moment when Europe chose the technological race over its founding principles of fundamental rights. ... What kind of digital society do we want? One where innovation takes place with respect for individual rights – even if this slows down its progress – or a society where we accept that our lives and words are absorbed by machines over which we have no control – in the name of progress defined by a handful of private individuals?”
Good news for the tech giants
The Irish Examiner says relaxing data protection would send the wrong signal:
“These laws aim to protect the personal information of the citizens of the EU, and it is surely significant that they have been the target of criticism and pushback from tech giants such as the owners of both Google and Meta. The Trump administration in the US has also attacked European regulations, framing its criticism around the alleged targeting of American companies. ... If the 'digital omnibus' is adopted, Google, Meta, and OpenAI could be allowed to use European citizens' personal data to train their AI models, even though some of those companies have been fined billions of euros for data breaches in the past.”
Careful calibration needed
El País weighs up the pros and cons:
“Citizens are promised fewer confirmation clicks and more control over their data. ... Companies will have a central point of contact and a uniform digital identity, which will simplify cross-border procedures. ... The project acknowledges companies' criticism of excessive bureaucracy. ... The Commission is committed to improving the performance of European companies in the sector, especially start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises. ... But there is the risk that American companies will end up benefiting. ... The EU must carefully calibrate its measures if it wants to avoid a scenario in which competition and innovation pressures come at the expense of rights, guarantees and ethics.”