De Europees toezichthouder voor gegevensbescherming (EDPS), belast met het toezien op de naleving van privacy en gegevensbescherming door Europese instellingen en organen, brengt een rapport
naar buiten omtrent het voor privacy veelbewogen jaar 2018.
26 februari 2019 bracht de EDPS het navolgende persbericht naar buiten.
2018 was a busy year for the EDPS and a pivotal year for data protection in general. Under new data protection rules, the rights of every individual living in the EU are now better protected than ever, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) said today, as he presented his 2018 Annual Report to the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE).
Giovanni Buttarelli, EDPS, said:
“Data protection hit the headlines in 2018. Public awareness about the value of online privacy is at an all time high, while concern about the abuse of personal data by online service providers remains a topic of enquiry for governments around the world. In the EU, new rules on data protection go a long way towards addressing concerns, but more is required. Agreement on a new ePrivacy Regulation is urgent, but in the digital world we also need to look beyond rules and regulations. Through initiatives focused on digital ethics and greater regulatory cooperation the EDPS is determined to play a decisive part in shaping the digital future in the EU and further afield.”
The 2018 Annual Report provides an insight into all EDPS activities in 2018. Chief among these were our efforts to prepare for the new legislation. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) became fully applicable across the EU on 25 May 2018 and new data protection rules for the EU institutions are also now in place. Working with the new European Data Protection Board (EDPB), the EDPS aims to ensure consistent protection of individuals’ rights, wherever they live in the EU.
Wojciech Wiewiórowski, Assistant Supervisor, said:
“As the supervisory authority for the EU institutions, we have dedicated much time and effort to ensuring that they are prepared to deal with the challenges of the new Regulation. In addition to updating our guidance documents, we provided training sessions and carried out visits and meetings across the EU institutions and bodies. We believe that the EU institutions must lead by example in applying the new rules and will continue to work with them throughout 2019 to ensure that they do so.”
In parallel to these activities, the EDPS has worked hard to instigate a debate on digital ethics. These efforts reached a diverse and global audience during the 2018 International Conference of Data Protection and Privacy Commissioners, co-hosted by the EDPS. Meanwhile, through his Digital Clearinghouse initiative, the EDPS has succeeded in bringing together regulators from competition, data protection and consumer protection in an attempt to develop more coherent and consistent responses to the challenges posed by the digital economy. The EDPS remains committed to developing these initiatives in 2019, as part of his efforts to ensure effective protection of fundamental rights in the digital world.
As we move into 2019, and the last year of the current EDPS mandate, the EDPS will continue to work with the EDPB, international organisations and others to promote a global alliance, dedicated to tackling the technological challenges of the future. In June, he will publish his reflections on the future of data protection in the EU and globally, as part of his continued efforts to inspire those working within and outside the field to unite in defence of human dignity and fundamental rights in the digital world.
