Why the Digital Omnibus puts GDPR and ePrivacy at risk

The European Commission is set to unveil a "Digital Omnibus" package, a suite of measures aimed at streamlining administrative processes for businesses. This initiative, focusing on areas such as privacy, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence, could significantly impact the existing digital regulatory landscape within the European Union. Concerns have already been raised about the potential impact of these proposed changes on established data protection frameworks. The Digital Omnibus encompasses several key proposals, including one dedicated to the AI Act and another focused on simplifying digital rules. Crucially, the package will reopen and amend both the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the ePrivacy Directive. These existing regulations are fundamental to data protection, and this revision raises questions about their future effectiveness. These alterations could affect all businesses operating within the EU, particularly those handling personal data or leveraging AI technologies. Any weakening of GDPR or ePrivacy could lead to diminished protections for citizens' digital rights, impacting the relationship between businesses and consumers across the continent. This will affect consumer trust and security. This omnibus approach signals a potential shift in the EU's approach to digital regulation. The full implications of the package will depend on the specifics of the amendments proposed to GDPR and ePrivacy, and how they balance business facilitation with the protection of fundamental rights.