Summary
- European Commission studies simplifying digital laws and may change GDPR to encourage AI.
- According to the European newspaper Politico, the change includes exceptions for processing sensitive data, redefining what “personal data” would be.
- The proposal generated resistance and divided European Union countries.
The European Commission is considering changing some of the strictest privacy rules in the world to encourage the development of artificial intelligence on the continent. The new package, informally classified as “comprehensive digital”, should be presented next Wednesday (11/19) to simplify protectionist rules that would be hindering European competitiveness with the United States and China.
The proposal provides for adjustments to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which has become a global reference since its creation in 2018. According to documents obtained by the newspaper Politicothe changes could create exceptions that would allow AI companies to process sensitive data — such as information about religion, political orientation, or health — for the purpose of training and operating their systems.
What can change in the GDPR?
In addition to the exceptions for special data, the Commission is also considering revising the definition of “personal data”. Pseudonymized information — altered in such a way that it cannot be directly associated with an individual — could no longer be fully protected by the GDPR, which would open up space for the use of these bases in AI model training.
Another possible change involves cookie notices on websites and applications. The idea would be to allow new legal justifications for tracking users, in addition to consent. The documents suggest “specific” and “technical” changes, without affecting the fundamental principles of data protection.
Political reactions
The discussions, however, are already provoking strong resistance. German politician Jan Philipp Albrecht, one of the original authors of the GDPR, warned that the proposal could “drastically weaken European standards”. He asked: “Is this the end of data protection and privacy as we set out in the European Union treaty and the Charter of Fundamental Rights?”
Among member countries, France, Austria, Slovenia, Estonia and the Czech Republic oppose the revision of the law. Germany supports changes that favor the growth of AI, while Finland defends adjustments that reinforce European competitiveness.
Even without official confirmation, the debate is already dividing politicians and experts at the European Union headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. For some, flexibility can accelerate innovation; for others, it threatens one of the pillars of the economic bloc’s digital identity.
With information from TechRadar
Source: https://tecnoblog.net/noticias/uniao-europeia-pode-mudar-regras-de-privacidade-para-favorecer-ia/
