Tap into the data gold mine

“Data is a catalyst that transforms and strengthens our economies”, declared Eva Maydell MEP, the EPP Group's negotiator of the European Strategy for Data, ahead of today's European Parliament plenary debate on the subject.

“Data analytics has had a massive impact on the way we live, consume, and work. Over the past year, with the disruptions we have seen, data analytics has helped us overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. When used correctly, data helps us in the way we communicate and take policy decisions. It has such a profound impact on our lives and society that we cannot simply let the sector grow unattended. We have to work towards a secure and safe environment for data-sharing, underpinned by an adequate infrastructure and above all, skilled people”, said Maydell.

Today, MEPs will vote on the Report outlining Parliament's proposal for a data strategy. The results will be announced tonight.

The EPP Group wants to help start-ups, micro-companies and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) access opportunities stemming from the data economy. “We must tap into the data gold mine. The EPP Group wants to support SMEs in their implementation and understanding of the potential that data holds. We must work towards state-of-the-art cybersecurity and cater for employees and citizens as a whole to navigate in this digital transition without fear”, said Maydell.

Unleashing data flows is important, but it is equally important that businesses have the opportunity to understand the value and the insights of the data they possess. Enterprises need financial assistance in order to transition to digital. EPP Group MEPs call for public and private funding to support enterprises’ digital transition, as well as to integrate digital technologies and skills.

The EPP Group also supports better interoperability, measures to prevent market distortion, technological neutrality, better access to the global data market and lastly, support for larger global data flows.