Interview with the Federal Commissioner for Data Protection: "The current debate is going in the wrong direction"

The German Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information, Louisa Specht-Riemenschneider, has voiced concerns about the current direction of data policy, emphasizing the need for a broader societal focus. She argues that the ongoing debate is misdirected, advocating for a clear societal goal to guide data policy and regulation, particularly within the context of the European Union's digital sovereignty ambitions. Specht-Riemenschneider highlights that the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) aims to balance data usage with the protection of fundamental rights, not to prevent data use altogether. She stresses the importance of harmonizing these objectives. Her statements come amid discussions about reforming the GDPR and the role of data in areas such as healthcare digitalization, with a focus on where data should be used and for what purposes, from improved cancer treatments to purely commercial interests. This perspective challenges the prevailing trend of prioritizing innovation over data protection, as seen in the "Product First, Regulation Second" approach. The Commissioner suggests that Europe has an opportunity to create a data usage agenda that integrates fundamental rights, democracy, and freedom, distinguishing itself from the approaches of the United States and China. This reflects a broader European emphasis on digital sovereignty and values.