In a significant strategic shift that could reshape the global technology landscape, the European Union is set to launch a package of measures next week aimed at loosening its strict regulatory grip on the technology sector, particularly regarding artificial intelligence rules and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This move comes amid mounting pressure from the technology industry and concerns about the continent's declining competitiveness against giants in the United States and China.
A shift in European ideology
The European Union has long considered itself the world’s “digital policeman,” setting strict privacy standards since the adoption of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in 2018, which has become a global model. However, leaked reports and drafts suggest that Brussels is revising this doctrine, driven by an urgent need to reduce the bureaucracy that investors and major technology companies complain about, arguing that it stifles innovation and makes Europe an unattractive environment for advanced technology investment.
Details of the proposed changes
According to reports, the new proposals include suspending key parts of the European Artificial Intelligence Act for a year, a law that was considered the world's first comprehensive legislation to regulate this technology. In addition, the European Commission is seeking to:
- Redefining personal data: narrowing the scope of what is considered personal data, giving companies more room to maneuver.
- Facilitating the training of artificial intelligence models: Allowing companies to process user data for the purpose of training intelligent models under the heading of “legitimate interest”, without the need for complex approvals.
- Eliminating cookie banners: Getting rid of annoying pop-up cookies, a change that may be widely welcomed by users despite the associated privacy concerns.
Between economic necessity and privacy concerns
The European Commission justifies these steps as a response to the concerns of European companies that find it difficult to compete with their American and Chinese counterparts operating in more flexible regulatory environments. Supporters argue that these changes are necessary to ensure Europe does not fall behind in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Conversely, this news has sparked concern among human rights organizations and digital privacy advocates. They argue that relaxing regulations, particularly regarding the definition of personal data, could open the door for major technology companies to exploit the data of European citizens on an unprecedented scale, describing it as potentially legitimizing "data theft" under the guise of technological advancement.
International context and American pressure
These moves cannot be separated from the international political context, as European digital regulations have faced sharp criticism from successive US administrations, including President-elect Donald Trump, as well as from Silicon Valley giants. While Brussels denies bowing to any external pressure, the timing suggests a European desire to de-escalate trade and technology disputes with Washington and focus on boosting domestic economic growth amid current geopolitical challenges.
