Brussels, 08/01/2016 (Agence Europe) - In 2016, European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) Giovanni Buttarelli (Italy) will focus on implementing the new data protection rules, adoption of which is due to be finalised at the start of this year, international data transfers, security and anti-terrorism measures and digital single market initiatives, he announced in a press release on Thursday 7 January.
“In 2016, we will continue to work closely with the European Commission, the Council and the European Parliament in order to ensure that our advice is as timely and relevant as possible”, said the EDPS, hoping to be consulted at an early stage in any relevant initiatives launched by the Commission.
Among the EDPS's priorities are his contribution to the work on the ePrivacy directive, with emphasis laid on respect for the Charter of Fundamental Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights. The EDPS will also formulate a position on the new post-Safe Harbour framework dating from 2000 that was overturned by the Court of Justice of the EU at the start of October, on the transatlantic data protection framework agreement, and on all of the Commission's adequacy decisions on data transfers to third countries.
The data protection supervisor will also closely monitor whether the anti-terrorism and migration measures agreed in December, such as the targeted revision of the Schengen Borders Code providing for systematic checks on everyone, including European nationals, travelling to or from third countries against relevant databases at external borders, remain proportionate and respect data protection and fundamental rights. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)