Today, an industry coalition of 23 associations from multiple sectors issued a joint statement on the application of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Without questioning the imperative to protect personal data, the joint statement stresses the need for a paradigm shift in the current interpretation of the GDPR to revamp the risk-based approach as the guiding principle of the GDPR.
Echoing the European Commission conclusions in its second report on the application of the GDPR, we believe in the importance of enhancing the dialogue between regulators, including data protection authorities, and the industry. The focus on the harmonisation of interpretation of the existing regime is crucial to achieve a better application of the risk-based approach, balance data protection with the operational needs of businesses, and foster innovation while ensuring legal compliance.
With the beginning of the new EU mandate, which will be marked by the implementation of the new EU digital rulebook, it will be fundamental to ensure a sustainable model for the use of data with the necessary balance between the right to data protection and othersfundamental rights and public policy objectives, as it was conceived in the GDPRs original spirit.
The full coalition includes:
ACCIS - Association of Consumer Credit Information Suppliers
AMICE - Association of Mutual Insurers and Insurance Cooperatives in Europe
CEMA - European Agricultural Machinery Association
CoESS - Confederation of European Security Services
EACA - European Association of Communications Agencies
EAEP - European Association of E-Pharmacies
EFPIA - European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries
EGTA - Association of television and radio sales houses
EMMA - European Magazine Media Association
ENPA - European Newspaper Publishers Association
EPC - European Publishers Council
ESOMAR - European Society for Opinion and Market Research
ETNO - European Telecommunications Network Operators Association
Eurochambres
FEBIS - Federation of Business Information Services
FEDMA – Federation of European Data and Marketing
GESTE - Groupement des éditeurs de services en ligne
GSMA - Global System for Mobile Communications Association
Intergraf
La villa numeris
NME - News Media Europe
SMEunited
VDMA - Machinery and Equipment Manufacturers Association
You can read the full letter here.