Annual Reports

In 2013, in the context of his consultation work advising on new legislative measures, the review of the EU legal framework for data protection continued to be at the top of the EDPS agenda and will remain a priority in 2014. The Digital Agenda and the privacy risks of new technologies were also significant features of 2013.

The implementation of the Stockholm programme in the area of freedom, security and justice and issues in the internal market, such as financial sector reform, and in public health and consumer affairs, also had an impact on data protection. The EDPS also increased his cooperation with other supervisory authorities, particularly with regard to large-scale IT systems.

In the supervision of EU institutions and bodies, when processing personal data, the EDPS interacted with more data protection officers in more institutions and bodies in 2013 than ever before. In addition, a number of EDPS surveys revealed that most EU institutions and bodies, including many agencies, have made good progress in complying with the data protection Regulation, although there are still some which should increase their efforts.

In the course of 2012, we once again set new benchmarks in different areas of activity. In the supervision of EU institutions and bodies, when processing personal data, we interacted with more data protection officers in more institutions and bodies than ever before. In addition, we saw the effects of our new enforcement policy: most EU institutions and bodies, including many agencies, are making good progress in complying with the Data Protection Regulation, although there are still some which should increase their efforts.

In the consultation of new legislative measures, we issued a record number of opinions on a wide range of subjects. The Review of the EU legal framework for data protection was at the top of our agenda. However, the implementation of the Stockholm programme in the area of freedom, security and justice and the Digital Agenda, as well as issues in the internal market, such as financial sector reform and in public health and consumer affairs, also had an impact on data protection. We also increased our cooperation with other supervisory authorities.

You can get a paper version of this Annual Report from the EU Bookshop.

2011 was a very productive year, in line with our efforts to ensure consistent and effective protection of privacy and personal data in a fast-changing, interconnected world.In its support of technological advances and economic development, particularly in an age of austerity, it is important that the EU administration does not lose sight of the right of the European citizen to privacy and data protection. Only a joint effort to apply a consistent and effective approach will maintain this fundamental right.

You can obtain a paper version of this Annual Report on EU Bookshop .

"The Annual Report clearly shows that 2010 has been a very busy, dynamic, but also very productive year for everyone at the EDPS and for data protection in general. This is fully in line with the need to increase our efforts to ensure a more effective protection of privacy and personal data in a changing world which is increasingly global, Internet driven and dependent on the wide spread use of ICTs in all areas of life. This trend affects every single one of us, so it is crucially important for the EU as a whole and for the activities of the EU administration." Peter Hustinx, EDPS

The report shows that 2009 was of major importance for the fundamental right to data protection.

This is due to a number of key developments: the entering into force of the Lisbon Treaty, ensuring a strong legal basis for comprehensive data protection in all areas of EU policy; the start of a public consultation on the future of the EU legal framework for data protection; and the adoption of a new five-year policy programme for the area of freedom, security and justice ("Stockholm Programme") with the emphasis on the importance of data protection in this area.

The EDPS has been highly involved in these fields and is determined to pursue this course in the near future. 

You can obtain a paper version of this Annual Report on EU Bookshop.