New privacy and data protection laws envisaged for European Union

The European Commission has announced that European Union member states have reached agreement on the draft of new privacy and data protection laws which create legislative harmony across the 27 EU nations…and punitive measures for non-compliance…. in the coming years.

Titled EU Data Protection Reform, the draft comprises General Data Protection Regulations and a Data Protection Directive.

The former lays out requirements placed on companies, individuals and other entities within the EU or outside the Union but carrying on business with EU states, regarding the protection of data and privacy, including timeous reporting of any security breaches, whilst the Directive ensures cross-border enforcement.

With heavy fines for non-compliance, the new laws will clearly be of importance to online gambling operators and suppliers once they are implemented, but that could be years ahead, because the draft legislation will now have to be refined to a final draft and submitted for approval to the European Parliament and Council.

Expect to see more of the EU Data Protection Reform project as the EU builds up to implementation with company and consumer education initiatives in parallel with the legislative process.

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