Data protection in the EU

Under EU law, personal data can only be gathered legally under strict conditions, for a legitimate purpose. Persons or organisations which collect and manage your personal information must protect it from misuse and must respect certain rights of the data owners which are guaranteed by EU law. Common EU rules have been established to ensure that people's personal data enjoys a high standard of protection everywhere in the EU. You have the right to complain and obtain redress if your data is misused anywhere within the EU. The EU's Data Protection Directive also foresees specific rules for the transfer of personal data outside the EU to ensure the best possible protection of your data when it is exported abroad.

EU data protection rules 2-year review — 24 June 2020, 23:56 CET

Two years after its entry into application, the European Commission published on 24 June an evaluation report on the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

MEPs demand data protection guarantees for fingerprint exchange with UK — 15 May 2020, 00:17 CET

The EU Council should not allow fingerprint data exchange between the UK and EU countries without guarantees on reciprocity and data protection in place, the European Parliament said on Thursday.

EU outlines its vision for secure data and Artificial Intelligence — 25 February 2020, 00:56 CET

The EU Commission presented Wednesday a European data strategy and policy options for a secure human-centric development of Artificial Intelligence opening up new opportunities for businesses.

The shape of Europe's digital future — 19 February 2020, 17:49 CET

The European Commission unveiled on 19 February its strategy for a society powered by digital solutions that put people first, opens up new opportunities for businesses, and boosts the development of trustworthy technology to foster an open and democratic society and a vibrant and sustainable economy.

Green light for talks on EU-Japan Passenger Name Record agreement — 19 February 2020, 00:30 CET

The EU Council gave a green light Tuesday for the start of negotiations with Japan on an agreement to enable the transfer of Passenger Name Record data from the European Union to Japan.

EU-US privacy shield review finds room for improvement — 24 October 2019, 22:07 CET

The U.S. is ensuring adequate protection for personal data transferred under the 'Privacy Shield' from the EU to participating companies in the States, says the EU's third review, but there is room for improvement.

Google 'right to be forgotten' applies only in EU: EU Court — 24 September 2019, 23:00 CET

Google's 'right to be forgotten', defined as "the right to silence on past events in life that are no longer occurring", only applies in EU Member States, the EU's top Court ruled on Tuesday.

Websites using Facebook 'Like' button are data liable — 04 August 2019, 21:17 CET

A website displaying Facebook's 'Like' button, which processes users' personal data, becomes jointly liable for collection and transmission of the data to Facebook, the EU's top Court ruled Monday.

GDPR working, but not well enough: EU report — 29 July 2019, 23:08 CET

While most EU Member States have set up the legal framework for the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), more is needed if the new data protection regime is to be fully effective, says a new report.

Code of Practice against disinformation — 29 January 2019, 23:39 CET

The European Commission published on 29 January the first reports submitted by signatories of the Code of Practice against disinformation signed in October 2018.

EU urges tech giants to step up fight against fake news — 31 January 2019, 23:17 CET

The EU Commission called on tech giants including Google, Facebook and Twitter Tuesday to intensify their efforts to crack down on disinformation in the run up to the 2019 European elections.

EU states agree better protection for whistleblowers — 29 January 2019, 21:30 CET

The EU is moving towards guaranteeing a high level protection to whistleblowers across a wide range of sectors, following agreement Friday by EU states' ambassadors.

EU-Japan data sharing agreement comes into effect — 24 January 2019, 22:31 CET

The EU Commission adopted Wednesday an 'adequacy decision' which allows personal data to flow freely between the European Union and Japan on the basis of strong protection guarantees.

A website has data responsibility for Facebook 'like' button: EU Court — 20 December 2018, 14:07 CET

A website's use of Facebook's 'Like' button, which processes users' personal data, makes the website jointly responsible for that stage of the data processing, says the EU top Court's Advocate General.

EU opens up free movement of non-personal data — 14 November 2018, 00:20 CET

EU ministers provided a boost to Europe's data economy Friday, signing off on a new directive aimed at removing obstacles to the free movement of non-personal data within the EU.

EU, Japan edge towards data protection deal — 06 September 2018, 00:01 CET

Following the July conclusion of EU-Japan talks on personal data flows, the Commission launched Thursday a procedure for adoption of its decision on data protection adequacy between the two blocs.

Digital rights open up for holidaymakers across EU — 03 August 2018, 12:26 CET

Following the end of roaming charges across the European Union last year, holidaymakers are now able to travel with their online TV, film, sports, music or e-book subscriptions at no extra cost.

Japan adequacy decision — 23 January 2019, 21:13 CET

The European Commission adopted on 23 January 2019 its adequacy decision on Japan, allowing personal data to flow freely between the two economies on the basis of strong protection guarantees.

Jehovah's Witnesses must comply with data privacy law: EU Court — 11 July 2018, 23:42 CET

The processing of personal data carried out by Jehovah's Witnesses during their door-to-door preaching must respect EU law on the protection of personal data, the EU's top court ruled on Tuesday.

EU agrees deal on free flow of non-personal data — 21 June 2018, 22:37 CET

The European Parliament, Council and Commission reached a political agreement late Tuesday on new rules that will allow data to be stored and processed everywhere in the EU without unjustified restrictions.

Free flow of non-personal data in the EU — 21 June 2018, 20:32 CET

The European Parliament, Council and the European Commission on 19 June reached a political agreement on new rules that will allow data to be stored and processed everywhere in the EU without unjustified restrictions.

Data protection - Rules for the protection of personal data inside and outside the EU — 21 May 2018, 23:58 CET

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Data Protection Law Enforcement Directive and other rules concerning the protection of personal data, as well as authorities tasked with enforcement.

GDPR - what changes after May 2018 — 21 May 2018, 18:49 CET

The General Data Protection Regulation rules will apply as of 25 May 2018. They will bring several improvements to deal with data protection violations in the future.

The new EU Data Protection Regulation - rules for European businesses — 21 May 2018, 18:46 CET

The EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) - which applies as of 25 May 2018 - will make it easier for companies to do business across the EU. The new law will help businesses fully benefit from the digital economy throughout the EU's Digital Single Market.

Seven steps to get ready for the GDPR — 21 May 2018, 18:44 CET

his guide aims to help those companies that do not handle personal data as a core business activity, such as SMEs that mainly deal with personal data of their employees or have lists of clients and customers. This includes for instance traders or shops, such as a bakery or a butcher, or service providers like architects. This guide highlights the few steps that need to be taken to get ready for the GDPR.