Data protection and privacy rights?are critical issues for both sides of the Atlantic. The European Union passed some of the strongest legislation ever to protect the dignity and integrity of data collection and management.
Such laws already exist in some European nations or sections of these nations. But effective January 2017, these laws that are expected to ensure privacy rights and protect freedoms will be enforced in all 28 EU nations. European Union Parliament passed these laws Tuesday. One law stiffens fines on companies who use and exploit their customerss data without customers’ knowledge or approval. This legislation will enforce the right to be forgotten law. Another law will require corporations to report any security breaches within 72 hours after the breach took place. Children under 16 will need parents’ permission to use social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or Snapchat. This law is enforced only in nations that don’t have a minimum age limit of 13. This new legislation will apply to any company doing business within the EU, whether they’re based in the EU or not (hint hint, Silicon Valley, USA). Not everybody likes these policies. Google and Facebook has been at odds with the EU for years, which collect data for advertising purposes (as far as we know).
Here is one thing Americans as well as Europeans agree on: Europe is doing more to protect online privacy than the US is. The fact the US doesn’t require corporations to report security breaches immediately is beyond my comprehension. Look at the security branches we’ve had just over the last two years. Then you have the age limit factor. I like all of this legislation, but I’ve got mixed feelings about this one. I understand why they want to put age limits on social media, sort of like we do for R-rated movies or TV-MA rated shows. There’s a lot of adult content on social media (that’s putting it mildly) that should not be watched by children under a certain age. But is it really for the European Union to decide what kids can and can’t download? Shouldn’t parents have priority in that decision?