Today, the European Commission published the Digital Omnibus which aims to change the EU’s digital legal framework including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), e-Privacy Directive, the Free Flow of Non-Personal Data Regulation, the NIS 2 Directive, the AI Act, the Data Act, the Data Governance Act (DGA), and the eIDAS Regulation.

The S&D Group is committed to simplifying laws to make the lives of citizens and businesses easier, but we will not support a deregulation agenda that would recklessly undermine the EU’s digital legal framework. The EU’s digital policy and data protection rules have been carefully and democratically constructed representing a coherent and human-centric approach to the digital economy. Together, they safeguard fundamental rights, enhance trust, and foster innovation across the EU.

Alex Agius Saliba MEP, vice-president of the Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, said: 

“Two important issues are at stake with the Commission’s Digital Omnibus exercise. Firstly, the unacceptable deregulation and weakening of the EU’s digital rules such as data protection, AI and cybersecurity. These policies have been put in place democratically to protect our businesses, people and their data. Rather than weakening the EU’s digital rules, we should enforce them and focus the Digital Omnibus on improving coherence, transparency and regulatory guidance without undermining the level of protection achieved so far.

“Secondly, the EU’s leadership in tech legislation – this is more important than ever considering the current geopolitical context where Big Tech companies and Trump are openly challenging our rules and regulations. We need to continue implementing our rules and protect our digital sovereignty, but also continue to inspire international partners in shaping their digital legislation.  

“We need to ensure that the Digital Omnibus reinforces, rather than undermines, the integrity of the EU’s digital legal framework. Simplification and coherence should serve the Union’s long-term strategic vision for a competitive, secure and rights-based digital economy rather than short-term deregulatory goals.”