Open statement ahead of expected final trilogue on General Data Protection Regulation

On 25 January 2012, the European Commission published its ambitious draft General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which sets out to harmonise Europe’s fragmented approach to data privacy. As the voice of the digital technology sector in Europe, DIGITALEUROPE has supported this vision. We believe that a harmonised EU law has the potential to stimulate economic growth and create new jobs, while providing citizens with effective control over their personal information. However, we have stressed that the goal of harmonisation must not come at any cost and that the right balance between boosting business competitiveness and safeguarding citizens’ privacy must be found.

The importance of reaching this balance has increased following the publication of the European Commission’s strategy for a Digital Single Market, which identifies the GDPR as a core pillar for its overall success. With Europe’s future Digital Single Market set to rely heavily on the use of data to generate an anticipated €415bn of additional economic gain, it is difficult to overstate the importance of the GDPR to Europe’s ambitions to secure its digital future. It has become clear to all that if Europe wants to continue to grow its economy and remain competitive on a global stage, it must adopt a law which will allow for this.