Today, the European Tech Alliance (EUTA) provided feedback to the European Commission on the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
In its contribution, EUTA mentioned that despite GDPR’s ambition to ensure a harmonised EU application, diverging interpretations by national data protection authorities across the EU create legal uncertainty. Companies face high costs in adapting to localised requirements and challenges in determining what good compliance looks like across multiple jurisdictions. A more consistent and harmonised approach should be embraced.
It highlighted that the interpretation of the GDPR has so far been very legalistic, neglecting the practical implications for businesses and their operational realities. Unfortunately, DPAs overlook the risk-based approach, which should ensure a more equitable balance between the right to personal data and other fundamental rights. We invited DPAs to not have readings that disadvantage certain companies unfairly, leading to distortions in competition.
Last but not least, EUTA urged DPAs to foster greater engagement with the industry to ensure legal certainty. Currently, most DPAs primarily function as GDPR enforcers, unable to support companies in achieving compliance by facilitating or endorsing codes of conduct and certifications.
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About the European Tech Alliance
EUTA represents leading European tech companies that provide innovative products and services to 500 million users. Our 29 EUTA member companies from 16 European countries are popular and have earned the trust of consumers. As companies born and bred in Europe, for whom the EU is a crucial market, we have a deep commitment to European citizens and values.
With the right conditions, our companies can strengthen Europe’s resilience and technological autonomy, protect and empower users online, and promote Europe’s values of transparency, rule of law and innovation to the rest of the world.
The EUTA calls for boosting Europe’s tech competitiveness by having an ambitious EU tech strategy to overcome growth obstacles, making a political commitment to clear, targeted and risk-based rules, and enforcing rules consistently to match the globalised market we are in.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Victoria de Posson, EUTA Secretary General
E-mail: victoria@eutechalliance.eu
E-mail: info@eutechalliance.eu
Phone: +32 476 25 08 16
www.eutechalliance.eu
