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COVID-19

EDPS response to the COVID-19 outbreak

'The outbreak of Covid-19 is affecting our lives at an unprecedented pace. It is testing the resilience of our societies as we respond to this global crisis and try to contain its consequences, both in the short and in the long run'.

Wojciech Wiewiórowski, European Data Protection Supervisor

 

 

Covid-19 outbreak is also testing fundamental rights to data protection and privacy. EU Member States, EU institutions and Big Tech companies are trying to explore solutions to tackle the uncontrolled spread of the virus.

In the past weeks, contact tracing apps and data localisation have become a constant topic in the political agenda of the Union. Such technologies may have strong consequences on EU citizens’ lives and lead to growing inequalities.

The EDPS is cooperating with the EU institutions and the European Data Protection Board to ensure fundamental rights to be respected.

As a result, we established a Covid-19 task force to follow developments and to prepare for the future of data protection and privacy after Covid-19 crisis.

 

EDPS activities and action plan

In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the EDPS has decided to activate its Business Continuity Plan. All EDPS staff have been teleworking as of 13 March 2020.

Read more below

External sources

 

Blogpost: Data for the public good: Building a healthier digital future

EDPS Formal Comments on the proposed European Health Union package

Blogpost: Carrying the torch in times of darkness

Blogpost: The moment you realise the world has changed: re-thinking the EDPS Strategy

 

 

Filters

15
Jul
2020

Orientations from the EDPS: Reactions of EU institutions as employers to the COVID-19 crisis

The European institutions, bodies and agencies have had to react to the COVID-19 crisis not only in their policy roles, but also in their roles as employers. Changes in operations, such as moving the vast majority of staff to remote working have raised numerous questions on which EUIs consulted the EDPS. 

This document compiles the advice given on questions such as teleworking tools, staff management, health data aspects and replying to data subject access requests. 

This document builds on the experience of the past months and addresses the issues that were raised to us or encountered by us and is still relevant because telework will most likely be a big part of the ‘new normal’ for EUIs work. 

Available languages: German, English, French
9
Jul
2020

EDPS comments on cross-border exchange of data between national Covid-19 contact tracing and warning mobile applications

EDPS comments on the Commission draft implementing decision amending Implementing Decision 2019/1765 as regards the cross-border exchange of data between national contact tracing and warning mobile applications with regard to combatting the COVID-19 pandemic.

12
Jun
2020

EDPS comments on the proposal for a Council Directive amending Directive 2011/16/EU due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Comments of the European Data Protection Supervisor on the proposal for a Council Directive amending Directive 2011/16/EU to address the urgent need for deferring certain time limits for the filing and exchange of information in the field of taxation due to the COVID-19 pandemic

28
May
2020

Newsletter (80)

In this edition of the EDPS Newsletter we cover the EDPS consultation on transfers of personal data, the virtual visit at the European Medicines Agency (EMA), the new TechDispatch on contact tracing and mobile apps, the 47th DPO virtual meeting among other topics.

8
May
2020

47th Virtual Meeting of the Data Protection Officers and the EDPS

47th Meeting of the Data Protection Officers of the EU institutions and the European Data Protection Supervisor, virtual meeting.

Agenda
Available languages: English
Public Communication
Available languages: English
Use of social media by EU institutions and bodies
Available languages: English
Monitoring social media - risks
Available languages: English
Use of social media - technical aspects mitigating measures, privacy friendly social networks
Available languages: English
Registers - best practices findings when inspecting
Available languages: English
Microsoft findings and recommendations
Available languages: English
Covid-19 and data protection
Available languages: English