Brussels, 17/01/2012 (Agence Europe) - On 25 January, the European Commission is expected to present proposals for a directive and regulation to replace the 1995 directive on data protection. According to AFP, the objective is to enhance digital data protection and introduce possible sanctions of up to €1 million or 5% of a company's turnover.
The project aims to enable internet users to obtain greater control of personal data, which includes the “right to digital oblivion” (social networks are expected to get rid of users' personal data if this is requested), “explicit consent” of individuals and companies to use their data, as well as “data portability” (the right to obtain a copy of data used by the service provider and obtain their migration to another provider without being penalised). The Commission hopes that these provisions will be adopted by the end of 2012. It also intends to facilitate corporate life in the EU for companies that are currently having to confront 27 different examples of legislation on data protection: a company established in several countries will now be placed under the responsibility (in the context of data processing) of the state control authority in the country where its main company headquarters is based. The new legislation also includes European harmonisation of personal data used in the police and judicial field. (OL/transl.fl)