All around the world, new technologies are emerging fast: big data, cloud computing, the internet of things have become a reality. However, are we ready, too?

New digital technologies know no borders but our laws still do. If we want to make better use of the opportunities of Europe’s digital single market we must put in place the new data protection rules without further delay. Citizens and businesses are waiting for this reform.

Everyone is concerned about the protection of their personal data: how many times a day is my smartphone data shared for commercial purposes?

Businesses are also concerned about safety: they want to keep their client’s data safe and maintain the trust of consumers. Only these conditions will allow individuals and businesses to embrace the internet and new technologies.

This is why the European Union proposed an update of the 1995 data protection rules: to keep European people’s data safe in the digital age and to get the conditions right to complete the digital single market, a top priority of the Juncker Commission.

In March 2014, the European Parliament backed the Commission’s data protection reform package with an overwhelming majority. Now the ball is in member States’ court.

Member States have already agreed on key aspects of the reform. For example, EU rules will apply to all companies offering products and services to European consumers, no matter whether their servers are based inside or outside the EU.

Now we must successfully conclude the negotiations by the end of this year.

Our data protection reform includes proposals for new rules for police and criminal justice authorities when they exchange data across the EU.

This is very timely, not least in light of the recent terrorist attacks in Paris.

I would like us to continue and also to intensify our cooperation in law enforcement .

To that end, robust data protection rules will foster more effective cooperation, which would be based on mutual trust.

New digital technologies know no borders but our laws still do

In an ever more connected world, it is essential to guarantee the right to data protection outside of Europe, too. I am determined to ensure that our ‘Safe Harbour’ arrangement (which allows the transfer of commercial information from companies in the EU to companies in the US that respect certain data protection rules) with the United States is really safe.

I will also continue the negotiations with the US on data protection rules for data exchanges by law enforcement authorities. In this respect, EU citizens must be able to enforce data protection rights also in US courts.

Security and business opportunities must not come at the expense of fundamental rights – they should go hand in hand.

The data protection reform should strike a right balance: to protect and empower citizens to manage their personal data while also protecting freedom of expression and of the media as well as creating predictable conditions for businesses in the digital single market.

We need to swiftly conclude the ongoing negotiations on this reform project and start implementing the new rules. The time is now.

What does it mean to the citizen?

The proposed changes will give the European citizen more control over personal data, make it easier to access and improve the quality of information one gets about what happens to one’s data once an individual decides to share it.

Consent should be explicit and not implicit as it is too often the case.

The right to be forgotten will clarify what type of information could be removed if outdated or irrelevant.

These proposals are designed to make sure that one’s personal information is protected – no matter where it is sent or stored – even outside the EU, as may often be the case on the internet.

Individuals can be confident that they can go online and take advantage of new technologies. This reinforced trust will also help businesses grow and allow them to serve consumers throughout Europe with adequate safeguards for personal data and with lower costs.

This will help stimulate the internal market, boost growth, create jobs and foster innovation.

Vera Jourová is European Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality.

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