The European Union is poised to revise its landmark General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in an effort to alleviate the regulatory burden on businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The European Commission plans to present proposals aimed at simplifying certain aspects of the GDPR within the next few weeks. The Irish Sun
Since its implementation in 2018, the GDPR has been recognised for establishing stringent data protection standards. However, it has also been criticised for imposing complex compliance requirements that can be challenging for businesses to navigate. Danish Digital Minister Caroline Stage Olsen remarked, “A lot of good things about GDPR, [and] privacy is completely necessary. But we don’t need to regulate in a stupid way. We need to make it easy for businesses and for companies to comply.” The Irish Sun
The proposed revisions are expected to focus on reducing administrative obligations, such as record-keeping and data protection impact assessments, which are often seen as cumbersome by SMEs. Justice Commissioner Michael McGrath highlighted the need for greater support for businesses, especially SMEs, in their compliance efforts. Politico
While the intention is to streamline processes and foster a more business-friendly environment, some privacy advocates caution against potential weakening of data protection standards. The GDPR has set a global benchmark for privacy rights, and any amendments will need to balance simplification with the preservation of robust data protection. The Irish Sun
As the European Commission prepares to unveil its proposals, stakeholders across the business and privacy sectors will be closely monitoring the developments to assess their potential impact. Politico
Victor A. Lausas
Chief Executive Officer
