Consultation on EU DP proposals open until 20 August

The Justice Select Committee is asking for written evidence for its new inquiry into the EU Data Protection Framework Proposals.

The Justice Select Committee will give its opinion to the European Scrutiny Committee on the EU Commission’s proposals for a data protection Regulation and a Directive (covering police and criminal justice). The European Scrutiny Committee scrutinises draft EU legislation on behalf of the House of Commons.

The Select Committee wishes to find out from stakeholders whether the proposed Regulation strikes the right balance between data protection for individuals and the obligations for business and public authorities; and whether the current UK negotiating position is supported by stakeholders. The UK Government questions the ‘right to be forgotten’ , and resists new bureaucratic and potentially costly burdens on organisations, for example, mandatory data protection impact assessments.

While there is some support in the UK for data breach notification, the government states that the timescales need to be looked at, as well as thresholds. Fines should be more proportionate and DPAs should have greater discretion in administering them. The government also wants to see many of the proposed delegated and implementing acts removed.

Read more about this topic, including the ICO’s views and further reaction, in PL&B's UK Report (July) and views from France, Germany and the European Data Protection Supervisor in PL&B's International Report, to be published on 23rd July. Subscribe.