In a letter dated Tuesday 16 December and sent to the Permanent Representations of the EU27 in Brussels, the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) expresses its concerns about the Commission’s omnibus proposals to simplify digital legislation and calls on Member States to “decisively oppose proposals for further deregulation and empowering of non-European Big Tech companies” (see EUROPE 13755/3, 13755/4).
The organisation points in particular to a ‘stop the clock’ on implementing the AI Act, the exemption granted to certain models for the use of personal data and the changes made to the definition of ‘sensitive’ data in the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
“In [their] current form, these proposals may seriously impact the right to privacy of European citizens, key consumer safeguards from risks of AI tools and, ultimately, enable non-European Big tech companies to consolidate their dominance of the EU market at the expense of European SMEs”, warns BEUC.
In practice, the organisation’s exhortations may not receive the hoped-for response. Several countries have already expressed their support for the changes proposed by the Commission (see EUROPE 13756/20), led by Germany, which wants to go even further.
It is in European Parliament that the debates are likely to be heated (see EUROPE 13757A9). The left of the Chamber has already voiced its opposition to the texts, while the EPP and the more radical right have welcomed them.
The omnibus is expected to be handed over to the Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) and the Committee on Civil Liberties (LIBE) for further legislative work.
See the letter: https://aeur.eu/f/k2z (Original version in French by Isalia Stieffatre)