EU: EDPS presents its activities planned for 2012

In a press release dated January 10, 2012, European Data Protection Supervisor Peter Hustinx issued a preview of the activities around EDPS's core issues for 2012.

The European Data Protection Supervisor is an independent authority tasked with protecting personal data and privacy at a European level. To fulfill this obligation, it supervises the processing of personal data of the EU administration and works with similar authorities to ensure standardized data protection. It also has an advisory role at political level when provisions and legislation impact privacy protection.

The European Data Protection Supervisor has now defined the key issues for the year 2012, giving companies a trend-setting impetus for the future development of data protection policies.

The key focus in 2012 will be the revision of the European legal framework for data protection. Currently, data protection at the European level is regulated through a directive. A directive defines only a minimum standard that, in the relevant case, must be implemented by the Member States. In addition, however, more stringent national regulations may be applied. This directive is supposed to be converted into a regulation. A regulation – which would directly apply in all Member States – would result in maximum harmonization of data protection in the European Union and the European Economic Area.

Regarding technological developments related to the Digital Agenda, the inclusion of the item "Cloud computing services" as another focus is to be especially welcomed.

In addition, negotiations on data protection agreements with third countries are planned.

This selection of topics from the press release suggests that it has been recognized that a simplification and standardization of data protection at European level meets the needs of the economy. To what extent these ambitious goals can be achieved in 2012 remains to be seen.