Contact: Michela Palladino – michela@developersalliance.org
Open Letter to Members of the European Parliament on the ePrivacy Regulation
BRUSSELS – The Developers Alliance in partnership with AmChamEU, BitKom, CCIA, DIGITALEUROPE, EACA, eCommerce Europe, EDiMA, EFPIA, EMOTA, EPC, EuroISPA, FEDMA, FENCA, IAB Europe, ISFE, JBCE, TABC issued the following letter to relevant Members of the European Parliament:
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Dear Member of the European Parliament,
The undersigned organisations, representing a wide range of sectors impacted by the ePrivacy Regulation, are deeply concerned about the current process and direction of the discussion on the ePrivacy Regulation proposal in the European Parliament. Our associations have been providing constructive feedback throughout the process. Our aim is to ensure that users’ communications remain confidential and their data protected with an aim to find workable solutions to achieve this while keeping the legal flexibility to allow for future consumers to enjoy the next wave of exciting and innovative digital products and media to emerge in Europe. A lot of hard work has been dedicated to the dossier in the European Parliament so far and many proposed amendments rightly support the essential objectives of this reform:
• Ensure real and meaningful alignment with the General Data Protection Regulation and the European Electronic Communications Code;
• Introduce much needed flexibility so that innovation in digital services and products can continue to flourish in Europe, without compromising fundamental rights and freedoms of users.
However we regret to see that almost none of these amendments are reflected in what seems to become the European Parliament’s position.
We seek the support of Members of the European Parliament to ensure that the views of so many of its members are taken into account on important matters such as the notions of “legitimate interest” and “further processing”. We strongly urge Members of the European Parliament to carefully consider the practical implications both for businesses and consumers of the proposed ePrivacy Regulation text before a vote. We look forward to continuous exchange with the legislators to find meaningful, workable and practical solutions that would ensure the high level of legal protection of Europeans’ fundamental rights and freedoms as well as access to the best of the digital technology revolution.
