Europe is scaling back its landmark privacy and AI laws

The European Union is scaling back some of its landmark digital policies, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the upcoming AI Act. This move, driven by a desire to boost economic growth and reduce regulatory burdens, signals a shift away from the bloc's traditionally strict approach to digital governance. The proposed changes have already sparked debate, as they may impact the balance between innovation and user protection. The European Commission, the EU's executive branch, has proposed modifications to the GDPR, streamlining the sharing of anonymized and pseudonymized data. It also introduces a longer grace period for rules governing high-risk AI systems. Additionally, the proposal aims to reduce the prevalence of cookie consent pop-ups, a common complaint among internet users. These adjustments are likely to affect various stakeholders, including tech companies, AI developers, and, most importantly, European citizens. While the changes intend to facilitate innovation and ease compliance, they also raise concerns about weakening data protection and potentially giving larger firms an advantage. The EU's digital sovereignty ambitions are at stake here. The proposal now moves to the European Parliament and member states for approval, a process that could take months and lead to further revisions. This decision reflects the ongoing tension between fostering technological advancement and upholding strong privacy and ethical standards in the digital sphere.