Data protection is a fundamental right for EU citizens. Hence, the EU has always been committed to maintain the highest levels of protection.
Currently, there are proposals for an EU data protection reform. This reform is believed to enhance data protection and also increase confidence in the use of online services and help SMEs to have better access to the single market.
The European Parliament has been very active in this policy area. Even at a committee level it proved to be a leading force in the data protection reform.
The proposals are expected to be adopted in the first reading in Strasbourg in April. This increases the possibility of having an agreement on the data protection reform by the end of this year. If this proves to be the case, it can be regarded as a success, especially when taking into account the fact that the negotiations for the current data protection directive have lasted five years.
The benefits of the EU data protection reform extend to various aspects of daily life. As mentioned, it has a direct impact on EU citizens because it strengthens the protection of their fundamental right and also enhances their confidence in using online services.
This is done by giving them a right to have their data deleted, providing easier access to their own data, allowing them to decide how their data is to be used,having the right to know when one’s data has been hacked and, most importantly, ensuring that data protection is consid-ered a priority and not as an afterthought.
The reform also provides a boost for the digital economy in Europe. Since data can be considered as a currency for today’s economy, businesses are expected to benefit. Also, if one takes into consideration the important economic significance attached to data, enhancing data protection can be regarded as a valid business opportunity.
The reform brings about various innovations. These include a common law for the EU, a single supervisory authority for the entire EU, a level playing field for companies established outside the EU and an obligation to pose a fine on companies that violate data rules.
However, these rules do not ignore the needs and situations of SMEs. In fact, through this reform, cutting red tape and costs is also considered a priority.
Red tape is expected to be reduced because SMEs do not need to appoint data protection officers. SMEs will also benefit because the need to notify supervisory authorities wouldbe eliminated. SMEs would be able to introduce a fee for providing access to information and also would not need to carry out impact assessments unless there were high risks. Therefore, SMEs should not face additional costs on the introduction ofthis reform.
Apart from working on the reform proposed by the Commission, the European Parliament had also set up an inquiry into electronic mass surveillance, which relates to the issue of data protection. This inquiry was carried out in collaboration with an EU-US expert group, national parliaments and other important actors. This has been a reaction to allegations of mass surveillance by US intelligence agencies.
Throughout this inquiry, MEPs, inter alia, also discussed the US-EU deal known as Safe Harbour and the level of data protection of EU citizens when they are in the US.
Discussions on the report, which was generated as a result of this inquiry, are under way.
The benefits of the EU data protection reform extend to various aspects of daily life
Lately, however, the Commission threatened to suspend Safe Harbour. Commission vice president and Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding outspokenly commented on the flaws of the EU-US deal. She stressed the need for the US to provide solutions and explanations by next summer.
Last November, she provided the US with a list of 13 recommendations on how the Safe Harbour programme can be strengthened on the US side. She is also asking that a number of companies should be investigated to see whether they comply with privacy policies.
On behalf of the EPP, MEP Manfred Weber also commented that there is indeed considerable room for improvement under the EU-US bilateral deal.
In the light of such developments, one feels the need for further reform in this area. Thus, the reform negotiations between the European Parliament and the Council are something to look forward to. The earlier they are completed, the earlier we will be able to have better data protection laws and frameworks.
Under the current Greek presidency, data protection is also a priority and this helps at a trialogue stage.
David Casa is a Nationalist MEP.