European data protection authorities have raised concerns about proposed changes to the European Union’s artificial intelligence framework, warning that efforts to streamline the rules must not weaken fundamental rights protections.
In a joint opinion on the European Commission’s proposed AI “Omnibus” package, the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) and the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) assessed how the draft amendments could affect privacy and data protection safeguards under the EU’s AI Act and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
The Omnibus proposal is designed to simplify and clarify certain aspects of EU digital legislation, including the AI Act, with the goal of reducing administrative burdens and improving coherence across regulatory frameworks. However, the EDPB and EDPS cautioned that simplification should not come at the expense of legal certainty or the protection of individuals’ rights.
The opinion emphasizes that the AI Act and data protection rules are closely interconnected, particularly where high-risk AI systems process personal data. The authorities stressed that any amendments must preserve strong safeguards for transparency, accountability, and oversight, especially in contexts such as law enforcement, migration, and public administration.
The EDPB and EDPS also highlighted the need for clear delineation of responsibilities among supervisory authorities and consistent enforcement mechanisms across Member States. They called for close coordination between data protection authorities and AI regulators to avoid regulatory gaps or overlaps.
In addition, the opinion underscores the importance of maintaining robust requirements for fundamental rights impact assessments and risk management processes for high-risk AI systems.
While supporting the Commission’s objective of ensuring workable and innovation-friendly rules, the data protection authorities urged EU lawmakers to ensure that efficiency gains do not dilute protections embedded in the AI Act and GDPR. As negotiations continue, the opinion signals that privacy watchdogs intend to play an active role in shaping the final framework governing artificial intelligence across the European Union.
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