Press Releases

Today, as the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) published his Opinion, Meeting the Challenges of Big Data, he said he wanted to launch a new, open discussion with legislators, regulators, industry, IT experts, academics and civil society to explore how the social benefits that big data brings can be harnessed while better protecting the dignity and the fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals in a more effective and innovative way.

The reform of the EU data protection rules is more urgent than ever, said the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS), following the publication today of his Opinion on the proposed Directive for data protection in the police and justice sectors.

Today, as the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) published his recommendations for the recitals of the general Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), he noted that the Council of the European Union had reached a general

Yesterday, as the EDPS published his Second Opinion on the use of Passenger Name Records (PNR) for the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of terrorist offences and serious crime, he said that there is a lack of information to justify the necessity of an EU PNR scheme.

Today, as the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) published his Opinion, Towards a New Digital Ethics, he urged the EU and also those responsible internationally, to promote an ethical dimension in future technologies to retain the value of human dignity and prevent individuals being reduced to mere data subjects.

Today, as the European Data Protection Supervisor sent his recommendations to the EU co-legislators negotiating the final text of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), he launched a mobile app to compare the latest texts from the Commission, the Parliament and the Council more easily on tablets and smartphones.

The reform of EU data protection rules is a historic opportunity to adopt future-oriented standards that can inspire countries all around the world, said the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) to the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) on the presentation of his Annual Report 2014.

On Wednesday 27 May 2015, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) and international citizens groups discussed the ongoing reform of EU data protection rules. As the EDPS prepares a fresh contribution to assist the EU co-legislator in their trilogue meetings on the reform, the meeting was a valuable occasion to better understand the concerns of citizens.

Video of the meeting

Mobile technology is revolutionising the healthcare market, offering opportunities to benefit the global population with a variety of healthcare needs, said the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) following the publication of his Opinion on Mobile Health (mHealth). However, as a society we should take care to identify and support solutions which first and foremost serve individuals and respect their choices.

This evening, the new European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) unveiled his Strategy for 2015-2019 to senior representatives of the EU institutions. Following his appointment three months ago, Giovanni Buttarelli summarised the objectives for his five-year mandate and the actions his Office will take to turn his vision into reality.

Europe needs to be at the forefront in shaping a global, digital standard for privacy and data protection which centres on the rights of the individual, said the new European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) today. Speaking on the occasion of Data Protection Day, Mr. Giovanni Buttarelli encouraged the European Union (EU) to lead by example as a beacon of respect for digital rights.

The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) encourages EU institutions and bodies (EU institutions) to balance transparency in the interests of the public and the data protection rights of individuals when managing the declarations of the conflicts of interest of people working for them. This balancing exercise can strengthen their efforts to foster the trust of the public as well as those who work for them.

Outgoing European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS), Peter Hustinx, congratulated his successors, who have been appointed today by a joint decision of the European Parliament and the Council. Current Assistant Supervisor, Giovanni Buttarelli, will replace Hustinx in the top job, while Wojciech Wiewiórowski has been appointed Assistant Supervisor.

Data protection can support the European economy, said the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) today, following the publication of his Guidelines on data protection in EU financial services regulation.

“How can we develop internet structure, services and apps which respect user privacy and personal data?” This question was at the core of today’s meeting of privacy experts and developers from industry, academia and free software in Berlin. The first workshop of the Internet Privacy Engineering Network (IPEN) was an important step in building a community which works on developing engineering solutions to effectively protect and enhance privacy on the internet.

The EDPS welcomes the clear commitment made by the European Council last Friday to ensure the protection and promotion of fundamental rights, including data protection, in further developing the area of freedom, security and justice over the next years. The Council placed also great emphasis on the adoption of a strong EU General Data Protection framework by 2015.

The efforts of the European Union (EU) to build an integrated model of internet governance and data protection should be complemented by an effective reform of the EU’s own legal framework and the swift adoption of the General Data Protection Regulation, said the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) following the publication of his Opinion on the Commission Communication on Internet Policy and Governance – Europe’s role in shaping the future of Inte

The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) fully appreciates the progress made by the Greek Presidency of the Council on the reform of the EU Data Protection legislation. In particular, we welcome the Council's objective of reaching a general position on the package so as to start negotiations with the Parliament well before the end of 2014.

The EDPS today called on the European Council to place the rights of individuals at the core of justice and security policies in the years to come.

The EDPS welcomes the ruling of the Court of Justice of the EU in Digital Rights Ireland and Seitlinger and Others (Joined cases C-293/12, C-594/12) on the invalidity of the Data Retention Directive (Directive 2006/24/EC). It follows the input given by the EDPS in these proceedings.