Many of the proposals in the new EU data laws have been poorly thought out, according to the Information Commissioner Christopher Graham, who says the new measures do not reflect the realities of data protection.
The document, issued by the EC on Wednesday, has already been blasted by businesses, amid claims it is like a ‘Sword of Damocles’ hanging over their heads.
In a response, the Information Commissioner’s Office said: “The Commissioner believes in a number of areas the proposal is unnecessarily and unhelpfully over prescriptive. This poses challenges for its practical application and risks developing a tick-box approach to data protection compliance.”
It added: “The proposal also fails to properly recognise the reality of international transfers of personal data in today’s globalised world and misses the opportunity to adjust the European regulatory approach accordingly.”
It added that Graham believed the creation of a separate legislation for the control of individuals’ data by law enforcement agencies does not give enough protection to citizens.
“He is concerned that in an area where the processing of personal data can have a particularly adverse impact on individuals the Commission’s proposals are much less ambitious,” it said.
The ICO did commend several proposals, though, including the strengthening of the arm of data protection authorities to have comprehensive investigative powers. This is a change Graham has been calling for from the UK Government, with little success so far.
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