"Digital Omnibus": EU Commission wants to gut General Data Protection Regulation and AI regulation

The European Commission is preparing to introduce a comprehensive legislative proposal, dubbed the "Digital Omnibus," on November 19th, aiming to overhaul European digital regulations. This initiative, according to the Commission, seeks to streamline rules, harmonize overlapping laws, and reduce bureaucracy across several key areas. The forthcoming proposal suggests significant modifications to existing data protection and consumer rights. The "Digital Omnibus" focuses on four key regulatory areas: data protection, data usage rules, cybersecurity incident management, and the Artificial Intelligence (AI) regulation. The Commission has divided its plans into two separate legislative proposals for this extensive reform effort. A core element is the Data Act, introduced approximately two years ago and applicable EU-wide since September, which is now slated for revision. The proposed changes will impact various stakeholders, including businesses, public administrations, and citizens. The planned revisions to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) are particularly noteworthy. The reforms would relax protections, particularly concerning the training of AI systems using personal data. The scope of pseudonymized data and the rules around online tracking and cookies are also set to be adjusted. The initiative aims to provide "immediate relief" to businesses, public administrations, and citizens, according to the Commission. The published documents reveal the direction of the legislative changes. The proposals have the potential to significantly impact digital services, data privacy, and the development of AI technologies within the European Union.