Press Release: Data protection package: Parliament and Council now close to a deal

The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union agreed on 15 December 2015 a 'strong compromise' on how to ensure a high level of data protection across the European Union.

The parliament's support of the two draft laws in the package - a regulation and a directive - was expected to be confirmed by the EP Civil Liberties Committee on 17 December 2015. The proposal still needed the formal support from the Council before it could be adopted.

On 18 December 2015, the Permanent Representatives Committee (Coreper) of the Council confirmed the compromise texts agreed with the European Parliament on data protection reform. The agreement was in line with the request from the European Council for negotiations on data protection reform to be concluded by the end of 2015.

• Primary Source

EurActiv, 16.12.15: EU strikes deal on strict new data protection reform http://www.euractiv.com/sections/digital/eu-strikes-deal-strict-new-data-protection-reform-320478

Politico, 16.12.15: EU strikes deal on data protection rules http://www.politico.eu/article/deal-data-protection-laws-parliament-privacy-tech-digital/

ESO: Background information: Data protection reform: lead MEPs optimistic about reaching a deal by year’s-end http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-data-protection-reform-lead-meps-optimistic-about-reaching-a-deal-by-years-end/

ESO: Background information: EU Data protection reform on track: Commission proposal on new data protection rules in law enforcement area backed by Justice Ministers http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-eu-data-protection-reform-on-track-commission-proposal-on-new-data-protection-rules-in-law-enforcement-area-backed-by-justice-ministers/

European Commission: DG Communication: RAPID: IP/15/6321, 15.12.15: Agreement on Commission's EU data protection reform will boost Digital Single Market http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-15-6321_en.htm

EUObserver, 16.12.15: EU agrees data protection regime, details to follow https://euobserver.com/connected/131538

The Guardian, 16.12.15: EU agrees draft text of pan-European data privacy rules http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/dec/16/eu-agrees-draft-text-pan-european-data-privacy-rules

The New York Times, 15.12.15: Europe Approves Tough New Data Protection Rules http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/16/technology/eu-data-privacy.html

BBC News, 16.12.15: EU data laws threaten huge fines http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-35110909

Deutsche Welle, 16.12.15: EU overhauls data protection laws http://dw.com/p/1HO0E

BBC News, 16.12.15: EU will not raise social media age limit to 16 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-35110474

The Wall Street Journal, 15.12.15: EU Officials Reach Agreement on Text of New Privacy Law http://www.wsj.com/articles/eu-officials-reach-agreement-on-text-of-new-privacy-law-1450209502

European Parliament: Newsroom: Press Release, 17.12.15: New EU rules on data protection put the citizen back in the driving seat http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/20151217IPR08112/

European Parliament: Newsroom: Press Release, 17.12.15: New data protection standards to ensure smooth police cooperation in the EU http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/20151217IPR08122/

Council of the European Union: Press Release, No.951, 2015 (18.12.15): EU data protection reform: Council confirms agreement with the European Parliament http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2015/12/18-data-protection/

EurActiv, 06.01.16: EU data protection reform may promise more than it delivers http://www.euractiv.com/sections/digital/eu-data-protection-reform-may-promise-more-it-delivers-320705

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