From: Out-Law.com
The European Parliament has voted to back plans for a new data protection law framework in the EU
The MEPs, by a count of 621 votes to 10, gave their support to proposals for a new General Data Protection Regulation. A spokesperson for the Parliament confirmed to Out-Law.com that the proposals supported in the full plenary vote are the same as those outlined in a report of the Parliament’s Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) Committee in October last year.
A second vote was also held on plans for a new EU Directive on data protection which, if introduced, would separately set rules around personal data processing by law enforcement bodies. A majority of 371 MEPs voted to support the new Directive, with 276 against the plans.
Under the LIBE Committee’s proposals, businesses could face fines of up to 5% of their annual global turnover, or €100 million if greater, if they breach the new data protection laws. However, under the plans businesses would be able to obtain a certification from data protection authorities that their processing of personal data is compliant with the Regulation. Businesses that are issued with a valid ‘European Data Protection Seal’ would face immunity from fines for breaches of the Regulation unless the breach was “intentional” or involved “negligent incompliance”.
Under the LIBE plans now backed by the full Parliament, the processing of personal data would be governed by a complicated legal framework. Strict rules around the processing of health data, as well as other ‘special categories’ of data, would be created. Separate rules would also apply if the personal data involved belonged to a child.
The plans include new rules around obtaining individuals’ consent to the processing of their personal data, which some groups in the science sector in the UK previously expressed concern with.
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