New EU rules on data protection put the citizen back in the driving seat

New EU data protection legislation, informally agreed on Tuesday and backed by Civil Liberties MEPs on Thursday morning, will create a uniform set of rules across the EU fit for the digital era. It should also improve legal certainty and boost trust in the digital single market for citizens and businesses alike. Clear and affirmative consent to data processing, the right to be forgotten and strong fines for firms breaking the rules are some of the new features. “The new rules will give users back the right to decide on their own private data”, said Parliament’s lead MEP on the regulation, Jan Philipp Albrecht (Greens, DE). “At the same time, the new rules will give businesses legal certainty and chances for competition. It will create one single common data protection standard across Europe. This implies less bureaucracy and creates a level playing field for all business on the European market”, he added.The informal agreement reached by Parliament and Council on Tuesday evening was backed by 48 votes to 4, with 4 abstentions.
The new rules will replace the EU’s current data protection laws which date from 1995, when the internet was still in its infancy, and give citizens more control over their own private information in a digitised world of smart phones, social media, internet banking and global transfers. At the same time they aim to ensure clarity and legal certainty for businesses, so as to boost innovation and the further development of the digital single market.

The consumer protection of Europe

The EU should strengthen consumer protection policies, including for e-commerce. It should do this through measures such as systematic controls of such things as food and pharmaceuticals  and imports from outside the EU. There should be stringent labelling which facilitate comparisons between products and commodities. The process of complaints and suggestions  should be accelerated. A central control agency which can issue sanctions should also be established. The EU should support the levelling of the prices of goods and services in the market and take useful measures to allow every citizen to access basic products. It should also regulate price increases. Rules that lead to more beneficial consumer prices are needed for some products  e.g. mobile phones.