EU member states reach agreement on Digital Omnibus position

EU member states have reached a common position on the Digital Omnibus, a legislative package designed to simplify data usage, streamline regulations, and harmonize overlapping laws. Key components of the agreement include provisions to allow for easier use of personal data to train artificial intelligence models.

However, the agreement diverges from previous proposals regarding digital privacy. While the European Commission suggested reducing the frequency of cookie banners by allowing users to set preferences centrally in browsers, the EU Council rejected this approach. Instead, member states intend to maintain existing ePrivacy Directive rules while expanding the list of specific purposes for which user consent is not required, such as service provision, reach measurement, or device security.

Industry groups, including the internet association eco, have expressed concerns that the current compromise may not provide sufficient legal certainty for AI training. They are calling for clearer legal frameworks to ensure European competitiveness. Conversely, labor unions and consumer protection organizations have criticized the deregulation agenda, labeling it a significant setback for digital fundamental rights.