EU data protection laws under threat from proposed Digital Omnibus changes

According to The Cyber Express, a coalition of 127 civil society organizations and trade unions have united to oppose the EU Digital Omnibus proposals, warning of potential severe weakening of data protection and privacy laws like GDPR.

The proposed changes aim to streamline EU digital laws but are viewed as a covert attempt to dismantle crucial protections against digital threats. Concerns include potential significant reductions in GDPR and privacy safeguards, making it easier to use personal data for training AI systems and weakening online tracking restrictions. Special data categories under GDPR, such as genetic and biometric data, could also face narrower definitions, impacting data protection standards.

The "rushed and opaque" nature of the Digital Omnibus process has raised alarm among groups, fearing a lack of democratic oversight and potential erosion of core social and environmental protections, the coalition said. The coalition urged the European Commission to safeguard essential digital rights protections and resist pressures to dilute existing laws for corporate or state interests.

Source: The Cyber Express