The European Union Adopts the Digital Governance Act: Increased Trust in Data Sharing Between Individuals and Business
Members of the European Parliament adopted the Data Governance Act (DGA) on April 6, 2022. The legislation paves the way for more trust and acceptance in data sharing for research purposes. This comes after the announcement by the European Commission on November 30, 2021, that both the Council of the European, the European Parliament, and the Commission had agreed on the DGA. The November 25, 2020, the DGA proposal took a year of discussion between the commissions before being tabled for adoption.
Although it’s the first legislation made by the European Union, the DGA establishes a political agreement to protect the rights of individuals whose data is used for research and innovation. The regulation aims to improve trust and cooperation between data controllers and processors. It is a good first step to ensure data sharing aligns with European values and fundamental rights.
According to the Council of the European Union, this legislation will introduce safe procedures that will enable the reuse of protected public data nurturing secure data sharing across the EU. The legislation also allows for the establishment of European data centers that will address the following areas:
- Manufacturing
- Health
- Energy
- Mobility
- Environment
- Agriculture among others
- Artificial intelligence
With the new rules, new intermediaries in online platforms that buy and sell data will get recognition as trusted data organizers. Unlike in the past, where major data platforms had to manage masses of data, the new rule now gives intermediaries an alternative. Also, different firms, public institutions, and individuals can now interchange essential data without worrying about competition or misuse of data.
According to the Council, individuals will have power over how their data wallets and data spaces share their data through personal information management tools. Although data intermediaries will charge for their services, they’ll no longer gain from your data. All data intermediation service providers must have a compliance certificate provided by the DGA for identification purposes.
Like the GDPR, the DGA will introduce safety measures over unlawful sharing of non-personal data. The European Commission will develop contractual clauses that address the transfer of non-personal data to developing countries. Since the commission cannot see the interoperability of the data intermediation services, it’ll create the European Innovation Board. The new agency will help create and issue procedures for the development of personal data spaces.
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