Change gathers pace in 2025
The international privacy community has been surprised by news about a new Chinese open source AI large language model Deep Seek. According to the BBC, OpenAI says that Chinese and other companies are “constantly trying to distil the models of leading US AI companies”. From the Deep Seek user perspective, the question is about data security.
US President Donald Trump’s executive orders affect privacy in the US and elsewhere, for example terminating the membership of the Democratic members of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board with immediate effect. At a conference in Brussels on Data Protection Day, 28 January, organised by the European Data Protection Supervisor, the Privacy Salon (CPDP) and the Council of Europe, Marina Kaljurand, 1st Vice-President of the European Parliament’s LIBE Committee, declared in the context of the GDPR and the Law Enforcement Directive, this decision is “not what we expect from an ally.” Irena Moozová, Deputy Director-General for Justice and Consumers at the European Commission added “the EU won’t be shy to use provisions we have available.”
The message from politicians and privacy advocates was loud and clear: the EU will retain and defend its privacy principles and values. The main EU-wide task is now to oversee the implementation of the EU Digital Services Package of data related legislation and continue work on the GDPR to ensure more consistency in enforcement. Karolina Mojzesowicz of the EU Commission confirmed again that the GDPR will not be reopened – she stressed that “solutions are embedded in the GDPR itself” due to its flexibility. The regulation on procedural rules that is expected soon is an example of this type of adjustment.
While Mexico is abolishing its independent Data Protection Authority, privacy principles are becoming more firmly established elsewhere. Malaysia’s Personal Data Protection Act has been strengthened to significantly increase the powers of the regulator and strengthen individuals’ rights and South Korea has adopted an AI law.
Laura Linkomies
Editor, Privacy Laws & Business
February 2025
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