European Commission proposes rules for stronger GDPR enforcement in cross-border cases

The European Commission (EC) proposed a new regulation to make it easier for data protection authorities (DPAs) to collaborate when enforcing the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in cross-border cases. The new law establishes procedural standards for responsible authorities, requiring the lead authority to submit a summary of critical concerns to counterparts concerned. By identifying the key components of the investigation and the perspectives surrounding the case, individuals are given the opportunity to express their opinions at an early stage. According to the EC, the new rules aim to bring clarity and involvement for individuals filing complaints, ensuring they understand the required submissions and are properly engaged in the process. Similarly, businesses will benefit from clarified rights during investigations, resulting in quicker resolutions and increased legal certainty. The rules also aim to improve cooperation and efficiency among data protection authorities, enhancing the effectiveness of enforcement.

Essentially, the new regulation aims to facilitate effective cooperation and consistency in the implementation of the GDPR by providing comprehensive and harmonised rules on:

• The rights of complainants,
• The rights of parties under investigation (controllers and processors), and
• Streamlining cooperation and dispute resolution.