Excerpt from NewsBytes Article, Published on November 20, 2025
The EU has unveiled a major proposal to update its cornerstone data protection and artificial intelligence rules. The plan aims to simplify how companies use data while preserving core privacy and safety protections. The European Commission says these changes respond to pressure from industry and global partners, but it insists that user rights remain at the center of the reforms.
Under the proposal, GDPR rules would be adjusted to make it easier for organizations to share anonymized or pseudonymized datasets. Cookie pop – ups, long criticized by users and businesses, would be reduced by exempting certain low – risk cookies from consent banners. Instead, people would manage their preferences through central browser controls that apply across websites.
The EU proposal also updates the AI Act, which became law in 2024. High – risk AI systems that may affect public safety or fundamental rights would receive a longer grace period. These requirements would only take effect once essential standards and support tools are in place. Smaller companies would benefit from simpler documentation obligations, easing the administrative load while still maintaining compliance expectations.
Another key change is the plan to centralize oversight under the bloc’s AI Office. This would include a unified interface for reporting cybersecurity incidents, improving coordination across member states. According to Henna Virkkunen, the Commission’s executive vice – president for tech sovereignty, the goal is to give innovators space to build safe AI systems without weakening guarantees for individuals.
However, the proposal has sparked criticism. Civil rights groups and several lawmakers fear the revisions may dilute safeguards originally designed to protect citizens from misuse of personal data. They warn that easing rules under pressure from large technology firms could undermine the progress achieved since the introduction of GDPR.
The EU package must now be reviewed by the European Parliament and the 27 member states. This negotiation process could take months and may deliver further amendments before any changes become law.
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