Why the Digital Omnibus puts GDPR and ePrivacy at risk
On 19 November, the European Commission has published two Omnibus proposals: one that rewrites key parts of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and ePrivacy rules, along with other data-related laws, and another that amends the AI Act. This article focuses on the first proposal. It explains how the changes would weaken core rights to data protection and the confidentiality of communications, and why the combined effect risks reshaping long-standing safeguards for people in the EU.
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Why the Digital Omnibus puts GDPR and ePrivacy at risk
On 19 November, the European Commission has published two Omnibus proposals: one that rewrites key parts of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and ePrivacy rules, along with other data-related laws, and another that amends the AI Act. This article focuses on the first proposal. It explains how the changes would weaken core rights to data protection and the confidentiality of communications, and why the combined effect risks reshaping long-standing safeguards for people in the EU.
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EU adopts Digital Trade Agreement with Singapore despite warnings: a setback for digital rights and democratic oversight
The European Parliament has approved the EU–Singapore Digital Trade Agreement, rejecting a motion to seek a Court of Justice opinion on its legality. This decision weakens the Union’s capacity to safeguard privacy, data protection, and accountability over software systems, at a time when deregulation pressures are increasing across Europe.
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EDRi-gram, 13 November 2025
What has the EDRi network been up to over the past few weeks? Find out the latest digital rights news in our bi-weekly newsletter. In this edition: Halloween is over… but digital rights horrors remain
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Judge grants Meta limited postponement in Bits of Freedom lawsuit
In early October, digital human rights organization Bits of Freedom took Meta to court. The organization demanded that Meta offers its users on in apps such as Instagram and Facebook the option to choose a feed that is not based on profiling. The judge ruled in favour of Bits of Freedom and ordered Meta to modify its apps within two weeks. Meta claimed that such changes were impossible to deliver in that timeframe and asked the Amsterdam Court of Appeal for a postponement. The court has now ruled that Meta will indeed be granted a postponement.
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Climate justice action repression vs EU data protection law: the Advocate General’s opinion
In his opinion, the Court’s Advocate General assesses the compliance of the French law regulating the collection of biometric data by police with EU data protection criteria. Although his interpretation remains strictly theoretical and fails to account for the reality of police practices in France, one of his proposals might become handy for people when seeking redress after abusive data collection.
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European Parliament backs Europol expansion: “A dangerous step towards mass surveillance in the EU”
Today, the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) voted in favour of a new Europol Regulation, part of the EU’s so-called Facilitators Package, despite widespread warnings from civil society and the European Data Protection Supervisor. The vote was voted for by 59 MEPs, whilst 10 voted against and 4 abstained.
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EDRi-gram, 29 October 2025
What has the EDRi network been up to over the past few weeks? Find out the latest digital rights news in our bi-weekly newsletter. In this edition: we're pondering digital fairness, budget cuts for the Austrian DPA and more.
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Czech police forced to turn off facial recognition cameras at the Prague airport thanks to the AI Act
The shutdown of the facial recognition cameras at the Václav Havel Airport in Prague came after years of criticism from EDRi member IuRe. The legitimacy of the criticism was confirmed by the Czech Office for Personal Data Protection. However, the Czech police continue to systematically violate the law in further processing of biometric data.
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Budget cuts incapacitate Austrian DPA: NGOs complaint to the EU Commission
Despite its growing responsibilities, the Austrian Data Protection Authority continues to be impaired by budget cuts. epicenter.works and noyb are filing a complaint with the European Commission about Austria not fulfilling its obligations of sufficiently funding its data protection authority and leaving millions of Austrians to deal with consequences of limited access to the fundamental right to data protection.
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A Privacy Nightmarе: Understanding Spyware, a new book by SHARE Foundation
SHARE Foundation’s new book ‘A Privacy Nightmare: Understanding Spyware’ examines spyware through technical, legal, and practical lenses, offering a systemic understanding of its threats and reinforcing the call for a global ban.
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EDRi-gram, 16 October 2025
What has the EDRi network been up to over the summer? Find out the latest digital rights news in our bi-weekly newsletter. In this edition: Digital protection at stakes – and how we are fighting back.
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Consultation response to the European Commission’s call for evidence on the Digital Omnibus
The European Commission launched a call for evidence on the forthcoming “Digital Omnibus” initiative, which is expected to be presented around the 19 November 2025. The package is framed as an effort to “simplify” the EU’s digital policy framework, but the EDRi network warn that it risks dismantling key protections that uphold fundamental rights in the digital age.
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