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Financial Services Law Insights and Observations

EU Parliament Committee Approves Data Protection Overhaul

European Union Privacy/Cyber Risk & Data Security

Privacy, Cyber Risk & Data Security

On October 21, the EU Parliament civil liberties committee voted overwhelmingly to adopt amendments to EU data protection rules and to require stiffer fines for non-compliance. The rules are designed to increase individual control over personal data while at the same time making it easier for companies to move across Europe, the committee explained. Under the adopted amendments, if a third country requests a company (e.g., a search engine, social network, or cloud provider) to disclose personal information processed in the EU, the firm would have to seek authorization from the national data protection authority before transferring any data and would have to inform the individual of the request. The amendments would grant any person the right to have their personal data erased if he/she requests it. It also would require that, where processing of personal information is based on consent, an organization or company could process the information only after obtaining clear permission from the data subject, who could withdraw his/her consent at any time. Finally, the amendments would increase the cap for penalties for violations to $136.7 million or up to 5 percent of the violating company’s annual worldwide turnover, whichever is greater. The committee directed the EU Parliament to start negotiations with national governments in the European Council, which would be followed by inter-institutional talks. According to the committee release, Parliament aims to reach an agreement on this major legislative reform before the May 2014 European elections. The 91 amendments are available in two parts, here and here.