by
N. Peter Kramer
It signals a serious lack of consensus in the committee on this important legislative file. MEPs could not reach a consensus on the substance and scope of the text. DIGITALEUROPE* mentioned the report as ‘unbalanced’, ‘it will prevent beneficial technological innovation even when there is no or little impact on citizen's right to confidentiality - for example in the IoT or M2M context where no personal data is involved’. The leading association said.
Therefore, DIGITALUROPE called, earlier in the week, on MEPs to reject the LIBE report; now, after the vote, DIGITALEUROPE urges all political groups and MEPs to seriously reconsider the negative implications for innovation, including security and quality of service, stemming from the adopted LIBE text, and to find a more acceptable and balanced solution at the next Plenary session. ‘Starting trilogue negotiations without reaching a balanced consensus on the above would seriously hamper Europe's ability to innovate and to truly protect consumers’ and citizens’ privacy in today's and tomorrow's digital reality’.
The LIBE report sets a new standard for inflexibility and a refusal to embrace technology innovations, according to DIGITALEUROPE. ‘We need an ePrivacy regulation that ensures a high level of legal protection for confidentiality of communications, and one that enables digital innovation – not one that chooses one over the other’.
DIGITALEUROPE believes that a more balanced, forward-looking approach is possible. One that aligns fully with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) which businesses across Europe are still implementing ahead of next year’s deadline. The new approach must also be consistent with the European Electronic Communication Code being currently decide by the co-legislators.
*DIGITALEUROPE represents the digital technology industry in Europe. The association ensures industry participation in the development and implementation of EU policies.
