New data protection rules at risk, EU watchdog warns

On the 29 May 2013, Peter Hustinx, the European data protection supervisor, warned that new European Union (EU) data protection rules could collapse because of ‘excessive lobbying’, foot-dragging by MEPs, and entanglement in trade negotiations with the United States.

On the 6 June 2013, EurActiv reported that EU justice ministers meeting in Luxembourg on that day were expected to consider giving EU institutions a sweeping exemption from new data protection rules. The Commission and other EU bodies would apply the new data protection measures after the adoption of the new regulation, using a special internal rule that has been criticised by the EU’s own data protection watchdog.

Later that day while still drafting the regulation, EU interior ministers in Luxembourg confirmed to back a 'risk-based approach' for data protection standards that would allow greater industry self-regulation.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background Information: US makes first public comment over draft EU data privacy law http://www.europeansources.info/record/us-makes-first-public-comment-over-draft-eu-data-privacy-law/

ESO: Background Information: European data watchdogs target Google over privacy http://www.europeansources.info/record/european-data-watchdogs-target-google-over-privacy/

EurActiv, 04.06.13: Lawmakers clash in public over draft EU data protection law http://www.euractiv.com/infosociety/meps-clash-publicly-closed-doors-news-528285

EurActiv, 06.06.13: EU institutions seek exclusion, extra time on data protection http://www.euractiv.com/infosociety/eu-institutions-seek-exclusion-e-news-528331

EUObserver, 07.06.13: EU countries back pro-business data bill http://euobserver.com/justice/120407

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