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Article

14 May 2013

Author:
Tom Brewster, TechWeekEurope (UK)

ICO Concerned Over ‘Guesswork’ Surrounding EU Data Privacy Laws

The UK’s data protection watchdog has yet again raised concerns over controversial privacy laws drawn up in Brussels...The ICO is particularly worried about “guesswork” guiding the proposals, which include provisions to fine companies two percent of annual turnover...The regulator and the British government are engaged in a campaign to limit the eventual European rules, much to the dismay of privacy campaigners who want them imposed...The ICO said its latest data showed businesses were unsure of their obligations under the proposals, nor could they ascertain what the associated costs would be..."[B]usinesses and other stakeholders need to constructively engage with the debate about burdens and the importance of privacy rights, while the process can still be influenced” [said UK information commissioner Christopher Graham]...Privacy advocates, who backed the original proposals, are concerned that large companies with a vested interest, such as Amazon, eBay and Facebook, will succeed in watering down the proposals through lobbying power.