AIG Newsletter 17 June 2024

News

In this week's edition: The EDPS publishes guidelines on using generative AI while respecting data protection rules. The Council reaches agreement on improving international cooperation regarding GDPR enforcement whilst the EC services partners with Australian ePrivacy regulator and ERGA to bolster oversight of online platforms. On the elections front, DG Connect hosts a roundtable to assess platforms' election readiness amid AI content threats. Lastly, the Council adopts an upgrade to Convention 108+, tailored for today's digital landscape, enabling secure cross-border data flows among ratifying "safe player" countries.

EDPS PUBLISHES GUIDELINES ON GENERATIVE AI

The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) issued guidelines and examples on the use of generative AI and personal data. These aim to uphold core data protection principles and support anticipation of potential challenges posed by new technologies. The EDPS Wojciech Wiewiórowski stated that these guidelines represent an initial step towards more extensive recommendations, as his team continues to closely monitor and analyse the evolving landscape of generative AI tools.

EC AGREES POSITION ON GDPR ENFORCEMENT RULES

On 13 June, the EC reached agreement on a common position regarding a new law that aims to improve cooperation between national data protection authorities when enforcing the GDPR. This law will provide tools to expedite the process of handling cross-border complaints filed by citizens or organisations and any subsequent investigations. It harmonises the requirements for determining the admissibility of a cross-border action, clarifies procedural deadlines and steps for investigations, and outlines the process for adopting binding opinions by the EDPB in case of disagreements between authorities. The regulation guarantees the right for companies or organisations under investigation to be heard at key stages, including during dispute resolution by the EDPB. Lastly, it introduces an early resolution mechanism to address infringements or reach amicable settlements before initiating standard cross-border complaint procedures.

EC SERVICES PARTNERS WITH AUSTRALIA TO ENFORCE ONLINE REGULATIONS

On 11 June, the EC Services responsible for enforcing the DSA signed an agreement with the Australian eSafety Commissioner to cooperate on the enforcement of social media regulations. The agreement focuses on transparency and accountability of online platforms, risk assessment and mitigation regarding illegal content, algorithms, and AI. The two parties will exchange information, share best practices, and conduct joint technical trainings. 

EC SERVICES PARTNERS WITH ERGA TO ENFORCE DSA

On 4 June, the EC Services responsible for enforcing the DSA agreed to cooperate with the European Regulators Group for Audiovisual Media Services (ERGA) to support the Commission's supervision and enforcement activities under the DSA framework. ERGA will provide valuable expertise to the Commission when supervising VLOPs and VLOSEs. ERGA will gather relevant information at national level and draft reports on topics such as media pluralism, disinformation, and the protection of minors. Previously, the Commission had concluded similar cooperation agreements with national regulators in France, Ireland, Italy, and the Netherlands. This cooperation also aids the work of the European Board for Digital Services.

DSA: ASSESSESING ELECTION READINESS

On 3 June, DG Connect hosted a roundtable with VLOPs, VLOSEs, digital service coordinators, and national authorities to assess potential issues and election readiness under the DSA framework. Participants discussed perceived threats to electoral procedures, evaluated their preparedness, analysed cooperation with authorities, experts, and civil society organisations. They concluded that there has been no significant distribution of deepfake or generative AI content impacting elections so far.

PRIVACY & DATA: COUNCIL ADOPTS COVENTION 108+ 

At a Privacy Symposium held in Venice (10 - 14 June), European Council Secretary General, Marija Pejčinović Burić recognised the extraordinary technological changes and growth in data processing and stated the Council has adopted Convention 108+. This is an upgraded instrument tailored for the increasingly complex digital world. Convention 108+ provides new evaluation and review mechanisms, and ratifying countries are recognised as "safe players" in the "data market," able to securely exchange information based on mutual trust for economic benefit. 

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

18 June: Language Technology Landscape Conference (Nimdzi Insights & CONNECT University)

18 June: Artificial intelligence and ethics: the place of new technologies within university missions webinar (EUA)

18 June: Digital Europe International Conference (IPPS in Prague)

18 June: Competitiveness, Commerce, and the Cloud - How Can We Drive More Technology-based Change in Europe? Conference(ECIPE)

19 June: EU Vision for Media Policy in the Era of AI (AI4Media)

20 June: Rethinking data in a democratic society (EDPS)

20 June: Expo and Forum (CYBERSEC in Krakow)

20 June: Summer Summit (DIGITAL EUROPE)

24 June: Cedefop Brussels Seminar (Cedefop & Belgian EU Presidency)

26 June: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) in the programmatic advertising ecosystem (IAB)

Stand: 17.06.2024