Cybersecurity Policy Report, Legislators in EU Eye Changes for GDPR Enforcement, (Nov 4, 2024)

By Tony Foley

In advance of trilogue talks on reforming the cross-border enforcement provisions of the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the rapporteur for the European Parliament assigned to the negotiations offered a statement in which she noted that enforcement gaps among member states needed extra attention.

The proposed amendments, which were tabled in Parliament in July 2023, seek to better protect fundamental rights through faster, smoother and more efficient enforcement procedures. The European Data Protection Board (EDPB) issued its own statement last month in which it welcomed the draft proposal but recommending addressing specific elements of the new regulation to better streamline cooperation among data protection authorities (CPR, Oct. 11).

Negotiating teams from the Parliament and the Council of the EU, represented by the current Hungarian presidency, were scheduled to meet today to discuss the reform proposals. In her statement today, rapporteur Markéta Gregorová of Czechia expressed optimism that the talks would lead to consistent enforcement of the GDPR.

“The GDPR has been a groundbreaking piece of legislation with an overwhelmingly positive impact. However, enforcement has sometimes varied among Member States, leaving certain gaps that need to be addressed,” she said. “I am encouraged by both the Council and Parliament positions. Our negotiations will concentrate on refining these ideas into a coherent and effective framework. A top priority is ensuring that all entities, regardless of jurisdiction, are subject to consistent and timely enforcement. Furthermore, the Parliament will strive to establish clearer processes for complainants and to improve access to justice, while ensuring comprehensive and seamless cooperation between national data protection authorities."

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