Reopening GDPR and ePrivacy through the Digital Omnibus: a risky path for EU digital rights

The European Union's approach to digital regulation is facing scrutiny with recent proposals impacting the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the ePrivacy framework. EDRi's assessment indicates these changes, framed as simplifications, could instead lead to deregulation, weakening existing safeguards for fundamental digital rights. This legislative maneuver risks increasing legal uncertainty for both individuals and businesses operating within the EU's digital sphere. These proposed amendments, under the umbrella of the "Digital Omnibus," aim to modify key aspects of data protection and privacy laws. Critics argue that the alterations, rather than clarifying existing rules, effectively reduce the robust protections established by GDPR and ePrivacy. This could have significant implications for how personal data is handled and protected across the digital landscape. The impact of these proposed changes could be far-reaching, potentially affecting all individuals and organizations subject to EU data protection laws. The concern is that a less stringent regulatory environment might undermine user trust and open the door to less privacy-conscious data processing. Furthermore, the process itself is being questioned for its adherence to democratic lawmaking standards, raising questions about transparency and stakeholder input.