data protection

[Update] EPHA briefing on cyber security and health technologies

Below is an updated version of the EPHA briefing on cyber security and health technologies, first published in September 2012, taking account of developments and further EPHA work since then. As noted in the EPHA briefing on data protection reform, the immediate problem presented by these technologies is the threat to privacy and the protection of personal information. However, the security risk presented – be it through malfunction or deliberate attack – is less widely (...)

[EPT] Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) – EP report: EU-wide plan to tackle the proliferation of AMR (22 March 2013)

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) – EP report - EU-wide plan to tackle the proliferation of AMR Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has been described as one of the biggest threats to public health - a worrisome development since resistance to drugs designed to treat severe diseases is becoming more widespread. In 2001 the WHO published its Global Strategy for Containment of Antimicrobial Resistance, describing what AMR is and what strategies should be (...)

European Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee adopts opinion on General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

The European Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee (JURI) adopted on 19 March its opinion on the General Data Protection Regulation. This will now be forwarded to the responsible Civil Liberties (LIBE) Committee for consideration alongside the submitted amendments. The opinion broadly supports the Commission text, supporting the use of a regulation rather than a directive, a broad definition of personal data, and the requirement for explicit consent in order for processing to be (...)

European Parliament Civil Liberties Committee discusses amendments to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

The European Parliament’s committee for Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) held a discussion on Wednesday 20 March 2013 on the amendments submitted to the General Data Protection Regulation. The discussion was held in the presence of the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS), Peter Hustinx, and the chairman of the Article 29 Working Party, Jakob Kohnstamm. Jan Albrecht MEP (Greens/EFA, Germany), rapporteur of the file, opened discussions by informing the Committee (...)

Council of the EU discusses General Data Protection Regulation

The Justice and Home Affairs Council met on Friday 8 March to debate the latest Council discussion paper, which asked member states for their positions and concerns regarding two main elements of the GDPR - the use of a risk-based approach and the need to provide flexibility for the public sector. The meeting was chaired by Mr Alan Shatter, Irish Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence and opened with a presentation by Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship, (...)

[Update] European Parliament’s Industry and Employment Committees vote on the General Data Protection Regulation

The European Parliament’s Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) Committee voted on 20 February to adopt an opinion on the proposed General Data Protection Regulation. The Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) Committee also voted the following day to adopt their own opinion. A total of four committees have now submitted opinions to the Rapporteur, including the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) and Legal Affairs committees. The ITRE Committee opinion, drafted by MEP Sean (...)

EU’s new cyber security legislation struggles in European Parliament

At the beginning of 2013 the European Commission launched two major initiatives on cyber security - the EU Cyber Security Strategy and a proposal for a Directive on network and information security. Concerns have been raised about both initiatives and recent reports suggest that the Directive may not make it through the European Parliament’s current legislature, as previously hoped. A report by EurActiv (a website devoted to EU affairs) quoting a number of administrators from within (...)

[EPHA Recommendations] Public health priorities towards Horizon 2020

Negotiations among EU Institutions are about to begin on the future research programme after the adoption of the partial general approach by the Competitiveness Council and the report by the Industry, Research and Enegery Committee in the Parliament. EPHA highlights seven ways in which EU leaders can ensure that investing research and innovation brings the greatest possible advancements in health and science, while creating accessible public goods. In its policy document, EPHA provides (...)

[Special Summary] EU General Data Protection Regulation and Health Research

On 17 December 2012, the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) released its draft report on the European Commission’s proposal for a regulation on the processing and free movement of personal data. The proposal and the amendments offered in the draft report have implications for a number of elements of health, inlcuding health research. This article takes a closer look at the potential effects of the new legislation for research (...)

EU launches centre to fight cyber crime against critical infrastructures

11 January 2013 saw the inauguration of the EU’s new European Cyber Crime Centre - the EC3. Hosted by Europol and based in The Hague, the centre will form a focal point for the fight against cyber crime in the EU and coordination with other bodies and departments, including the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The Centre is the latest in a string of measures enacted at the European level to fight this new trend in criminal activity. Cyber crime affects health in a number (...)