The European Commission has announced the Data Act. This proposal aims to give users more control over their data. For example, cloud services will be required to make data exchangeable. In this way, it should become easier to switch from one provider to another.
The EU proposal is an important step toward making the data economy as a whole work better and giving people themselves more control over it, said Margrethe Vestager, European Commissioner for Competition and the Cabinet Office. The Data Act makes clear who can access and share data, and under what conditions.
The Data Act states that users and companies can use the data they generate when using a product or service themselves or give it to a third party. This would create a better functioning open data economy. Also, this legislation should ensure that any use of private data by the public sector is organized in a way that respects the interests, obligations and rights of all involved.
After the responsible ministers discuss the Data Act in the EU Telecoms Council in the coming months, it will become legislation after agreement in the Council and in the European Parliament.
