Unbalanced Data Protection Rules will Hurt European Economy

The Data Industry Platform, an alliance of European and global businesses and industry associations, welcomes the general aim of the European Commission to cut red tape and simplify data protection compliance in Europe.

At the same time, the Data Industry Platform is deeply concerned that the actual text of the proposed General Data Protection Regulation does not deliver on these aims, because it is overly strict and bureaucratic. “We fully support a balanced approach to privacy rights in Europe, but unfortunately the proposed Regulation is still not workable and too complex for our daily lives” says Dieter Weng, one of the initiators of the Data Industry Platform.
The Regulation has to ensure that businesses keep the freedom to market their products and services effectively. Recent changes to the draft Regulation lift some of the originally discussed restrictions, but there is still excessive red tape. The same holds true for the requirements for a valid consent or the introduction of the “right to be forgotten”. The cost-intensive bureaucratic burdens introduced by the proposed Regulation need to be reconsidered. Finally, the Data Industry Platform is very concerned about the far-reaching powers which the proposed Regulation would confer to the European Commission.
The right to privacy is one of several important fundamental rights, but not the only one. All fundamental rights have to be applied in a balance and proportional way. Privacy is already well protected in Europe. Judging from experience with the existing European Data Protection Directive, there is no justification for the massive changes proposed in the new Regulation. Such changes cause substantial additional cost and loss of trading opportunities for European and foreign businesses. In times of economic crisis, these limitations will harm business confidence and investment activities, which would have repercussions in terms of job creation.
The Data Industry Platform is an alliance of large companies and associations across industries and national boundaries. It was founded in September 2010 in the wake of the first consultations on the review of the European privacy law. Its goal is a balanced, innovation- and industry-friendly approach to privacy in Europe. For more information, please contact dip_secretariat(at)ddv.de or call +49 30 28882920