EPP Group asks for review of ePrivacy mandate

The EPP Group joins the call for a plenary vote on the mandate adopted by the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) on a new ePrivacy proposal

Roberta Metsola, the EPP Group LIBE Coordinator, explained on behalf of the Group: “We have requested an examination in plenary of the mandate on ePrivacy to make sure the European Parliament enters trialogue negotiations with a clear position, supported by the majority of Members. A mandate granted after a rushed examination with only a one-vote difference does not allow for that. The European Parliament needs to make it clear that it stands united behind a strong position for future negotiations.”

The mandate as granted in Committee would lead not only to the restriction of European innovation but would also significantly worsen conditions for journalists. Newspapers need to be able to use users’ data from their websites for advertisement as a source of income. With restricted income and salaries for journalists, the freedom of the press is threatened.

The EPP Group therefore calls for a mandate for trialogues that would allow for the independent financing of European media and that would take the time needed for compromise. We also need to guarantee that businesses based on innovation can grow and create job opportunities for Europeans. At the same time, we want a solution where non-intrusive data processing that has the potential to improve citizens' lives is allowed and where the security of citizens is not compromised by limiting law enforcement to the use of data related to the investigation of serious crime.