BRUSSELS – February 10, 2021 – BSA | The Software Alliance offered the following statement on today’s endorsement of the ePrivacy regulation proposal by the European Council.

“Privacy and data protection are fundamental to the digital economy. BSA appreciates the years of effort that have gone into updating the rules on the confidentiality of communications, and the mandate to begin trilogue negotiations on the proposed ePrivacy regulation is a significant step in the process,” said Matteo Quattrocchi, Senior Manager, Policy – EMEA at BSA. “Issues remain with the Council’s version of the ePrivacy text, especially as the scope of the proposal may overlap and create inconsistencies with the GDPR and other legislative initiatives currently underway, including the Digital Services Act and Europe’s Data and AI Strategies. During the trilogues on the ePrivacy Regulation, it will be important to clarify rules for compliance and take today’s very diverse ecosystem of digital services into account, particularly in the business-to-business context.”

BSA looks forward to continuing to engage with EU policymakers in their ongoing work toward an ePrivacy Regulation that is clear, effective, and predictable for individuals, businesses, and governments alike.