EU Commission's Digital Omnibus is a major rollback of EU digital protections
3 days ago
- #Data Privacy
- #EU Policy
- #Digital Regulation
- The European Commission published two Digital Omnibus proposals, risking the dismantling of core EU digital protections like GDPR, ePrivacy Directive, and the AI Act.
- The Omnibus weakens ePrivacy by shifting device access provisions to GDPR, introducing broad exceptions allowing businesses to access device data without consent.
- GDPR changes include narrowing personal data definitions, unchecked use of intimate data for AI training, and reshaping automated decision-making, increasing discriminatory risks.
- The Digital Omnibus on AI undermines the AI Act by exempting AI developers from key rules, delaying high-risk requirements, and weakening transparency and accountability.
- The proposals favor corporate interests, particularly Big Tech and European corporations, while sidelining civil society concerns and democratic scrutiny.
- The Digital Fitness Check signals a broader deregulation agenda, potentially affecting all digital protections.
- Experts criticize the proposals as a betrayal of EU promises, prioritizing corporate interests over human rights and tech policy safeguards.
- The EU needs stronger enforcement of existing digital rules rather than deregulation to protect people and communities in the digital age.