EDPS

*** EDPS PRESS RELEASE *** The EDPS supports targeted access to value added tax (VAT) data to combat tax fraud, but warns that a new Proposal sits at the crossroads between administrative cooperation and criminal law enforcement. The European Commission has put forward a Proposal aimed at strengthening the fight against intra-Community VAT fraud by amending Regulation (EU) No 904/2010 to grant the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) and the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) specific direct and centralised access to VAT information at EU level. The EDPS welcomes the objectives of the Proposal and acknowledges that specific and limited direct access to administrative databases can be necessary for effective investigations. However, this exceptional access must be clearly circumscribed and carefully safeguarded. It should not be misconstrued as a precedent for more general application. Furthermore, certain parameters - purpose limitation, data minimisation and accountability - must be defined to ensure compliance with EU data protection law. 📃 Read the press release to find out more:

European Data Protection Supervisor

EDPS supports targeted VAT data access to fight fraud at EU level but warns against blurring administrative and criminal boundaries

The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) has issued its Opinion on the European Commission’s Proposal to amend Regulation (EU) No 904/2010,...

Today, the EDPS had the pleasure of hosting the December meeting of the Interinstitutional Committee on Digital Transformation (ICDT). Bringing together representatives from across the EU Institutions, the ICDT is a key forum for coordinating digital transformation efforts, from cloud and data governance to AI and interoperability. @npub1vtdc...gz7j Wojciech Wiewiorowski opened the meeting with introductory remarks, highlighting that efficiency and compliance must go hand in hand, especially at a time when institutions feel the pressure to do more with less. He also stressed that as we navigate a technological revolution driven by artificial intelligence, significant risks and responsibilities emerge, requiring continued vigilance in how AI is deployed, particularly with regard to data protection. A warm thank you to all institutions for their active participation, and to the @Court of Justice of the EU for chairing the Committee’s work. We look forward to continuing this collaboration in the year ahead!

*** Annual Privacy Forum 2025 *** Today marked the 13th edition of the Annual Privacy Forum, where experts from across Europe gathered to bridge the gap between privacy and data protection research and policy. This year’s edition was organised by the Goethe University Frankfurt, Karlstad University, and RSA Conference, with active participation from @European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) and the #EDPS. In his opening remarks, @npub1vtdc...gz7j Wojciech Wiewiorowski addressed some of the most pressing challenges in data protection and cybersecurity: "October marks the EU Cybersecurity Month. Alongside the EDPS daily role in supervising the protection of individuals affected by cybersecurity incidents impacting EUIs systems, we are present and playing an active role in the initiatives that EU institutions are carrying out". He added: "Strong cybersecurity is essential to the EU's resilience and the protection of fundamental rights. The greater the intrusion, the greater the risks for our rights, and the stronger our safeguards must be". In his address, he spoke about the simplification agenda: "True simplification means making rules clearer, more coherent, and easier to apply, without weakening the protections for individuals. Simplification should mean strengthening and streamlining enforcement, maintaining independence, and preserving the GDPR as a landmark for Europe's fundamental rights". #APF25 #Cybersecurity #GDPR

*** OPINION *** The EDPS has published an Opinion on the Recommendation for a Council Decision authorising the opening of negotiations for a digital trade agreement with Canada. The objective of this Recommendation is to authorise the @European Commission to open negotiations with Canada in order to complement the existing EU–Canada Free Trade Agreement by establishing comprehensive rules on digital trade. These negotiations may address issues such as cross-border data flows with trust, data localisation requirements and the protection of personal data. The EDPS recalls that the protection of personal data is a fundamental right in the European Union and therefore cannot be subject to negotiations in the context of trade agreements. Read the Opinion

European Data Protection Supervisor

EDPS Opinion 26/2025 on the Recommendation for a Council Decision authorising the opening of negotiations for a digital trade agreement with Canada

EDPS Opinion 26/2025 on the Recommendation for a Council Decision authorising the opening of negotiations for a digital trade agreement with Canada

⚡ Great Scott, we are back!⚡ This is heavy! We're thrilled to announce that we are back to #Mastodon! Follow us on this ride back to the future of open and privacy-friendly social media. After all, where we're going, we don't need roads🚀