Press Releases

The collection and control of massive amounts of personal data are a source of market power for the biggest players in the global market for internet services, said the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) today. Personal information has become a form of currency to pay for so-called 'free' online services and is a valuable intangible asset for an increasing number of companies doing business in the EU. This requires closer interaction between different regulators.

As part of the action plan laid out in his Strategy 2013-2014 to provide guidance to the EU administration, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) has published Guidelines on the Rights of Individuals with regard to the Processing of Personal Data.

The strict enforcement of existing European data protection laws is an essential element for restoring trust between the EU and the USA said the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) today.

EU institutions are better at complying with data protection rules and privacy principles than ever before. This is the overall message of the EDPS report on his latest general stocktaking exercise, published today.

The German government has been urged to take the lead in pushing forward the reform of the EU rules on data protection by Peter Hustinx, in the last speech of his mandate as European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS), in Bonn, Germany.

In a report issued today, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) highlights his overall satisfaction with the video-surveillance systems of four Luxembourg-based EU bodies that were inspected on 9 and 10 July 2013.

The European Data Protection Supervisor’s (EDPS) 2014 work programme in the area of legislative consultation identifies issues of strategic importance that are likely to be the cornerstones of his consultation work for 2014. The inventory, a strategic planning document also published today, highlights the key areas of focus for 2014.

The European Commission's proposal on harmonising electronic communications services across the EU will unduly limit internet freedom, says the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS).  In his Opinion,  the EDPS welcomes the inclusion of the principle of net neutrality - the impartial transmission of information on the internet – in the text, but also said that it is devoid of substance because of the almost unlimited right of

The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) welcomes the outcome of the vote last night by the European Parliamentary Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) on the data protection reform package.

There is no clear evidence that the Commission Proposals to create a smart border system for the external borders of the EU will fulfil the aims that it has set out, said the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) today.

The Commission proposals on money transfers, prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing need to do more than make mere references to data protection, said the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) today. Specific safeguards, such as the right of individuals to be informed and the respect of the principles of proportionality and purpose limitation are essential to prevent ordinary citizens from being excessively profiled by service providers on dubious grounds with potentially damaging effects.

Cyber security is not an excuse for the unlimited monitoring and analysis of the personal information of individuals, said the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) today following the publication of his opinion on the EU's strategy on cyber security.

The EDPS is following the NSA story closely and is concerned about the possible serious implications for the privacy and other fundamental rights of EU citizens.

We welcome the request by the Chairman of the Article 29 Working Party, Mr. Jacob Kohnstamm, on 7 June to the Commission to seek clarification of the facts as soon as possible.

We expect the issue will be discussed at the EU-US Summit this Friday.

We will continue to monitor the situation.

Robust data protection considerations can strengthen the credibility of investigations into serious crimes in the EU. This is the message the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) sent in his opinion published today on the Commission proposal for a new legal framework for the EU Agency for Law Enforcement and Training (Europol).

The lobbying surrounding the current review of the EU data protection law by organisations both from Europe and elsewhere has been exceptional.

Last week, the EDPS sent additional comments on the reform of the EU rules governing data protection to the European Parliament, the Commission and the Council in view of today's debate on the subject in the Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee (LIBE). These comments relate to specific areas that require clarification and are a reaction to a number of amendments proposed by various Parliament committees, including LIBE.

Yesterday evening, the EDPS presented a report outlining his Strategy for 2013-2014 to senior representatives of the EU institutions. The EDPS outlined the process, aims and results of an extensive analysis, including the main lines of the 2013-2014 Strategy.

Today, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) published his 2013 work programme in the area of legislative consultation, including his strategic planning document, the Inventory. With this document, the EDPS identifies issues of strategic importance that will form the cornerstone of his consultation work for 2013.

Yesterday, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) published his Report on the Status of Data Protection Officers (DPOs) as part of his ongoing task to monitor the compliance of EU institutions and bodies with Article 24 of the European Data Protection Regulation, which obliges the appointment of DPOs.

Today, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) adopted a Policy on Consultations in the field of Supervision & Enforcement which provides guidance to EU institutions and bodies and Data Protection Officers (DPOs) on consulting the EDPS when drawing up measures or internal rules which involve the processing of personal information - also known as personal data - in compliance with the Data Protection Regulation (EC) No. 45/2001.