European Commission announces Data Governance Act for trustworthy data sharing in the EU
29 November 20
Elisar Bashir
A new proposal for a regulation aims to facilitate voluntary data sharing of both personal and non-personal data between data holders and data users across the EU. The Data Governance Act (DGA) intends to further enable the creation of neutral providers of data sharing services (data intermediaries) and sector specific data spaces as well as to encourage data shared on altruistic grounds (i.e. without reward for purely non-commercial usage in the public interest).
Italian data protection authority fines telecoms operator Vodafone €12.2m for unlawful telemarketing activities
26 November 20
Stefano De Luca
The Garante announced its decision to impose a €12.2m fine on Vodafone for infringements of the GDPR entailing its telemarketing activities of 2019 and 2020.
Canadian Government proposes federal privacy reform
25 November 20
Carolina Limbatto
The Canadian Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry (ISED) proposed new consumer privacy protection rules under Bill C-11 (the “Digital Charter Implementation Act, 2020”,DCIA). According to ISED , the DCIA would significantly increase privacy protection of Canadians' personal information through greater control and transparency. Also, according to experts, the Bill shows the Canadian Government's intention to align Canada´s privacy framework with the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Spanish government consults on digital rights act
24 November 20
Javier Huerta Bravo
Despite its title the act will not set any binding rights but will be rather aimed at inspiring digital public policies. The rights included in the draft act, which in some cases are undefined and/or conceived in a far-reaching way compared to the current regulation, would thus need to be concretised through legislation.
Canada releases a regulatory framework for artificial intelligence
23 November 20
Carolina Limbatto
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) published a report including recommendations to establish a regulatory framework for artificial intelligence (AI). OPC recommended a legislative review to improve the benefits of AI while protecting individuals' fundamental right to privacy.
German competition authority probes communication apps
23 November 20
Javier Huerta Bravo
The German federal cartel office (BKartA) launched a sector investigation into over-the-top (OTT) communication apps such as WhatsApp, Telegram or Facebook Messenger. The authority suspects violations of consumer rights.