Data is essential for the innovation of businesses and public authorities. for example, for learning algorithms and building smart cities. However, most industrial data remains unused or its value is concentrated in the hands of a relatively small number of large companies. That is why it is necessary to investigate how to “unlock” the untapped potential of data sharing.
The European Commission’s proposal is intended to give users a new right of access to the data they generate, as well as create a user right to share that data with third parties. The draft text also imposes a number of obligations on data holders. For example, the proposal introduces a set of minimum regulatory requirements to facilitate the transition between cloud service providers and safeguards to address unlawful third-party access to non-personal data stored in the EU.
European Parliament Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) adopted its report in February 2023. The report clarifies the types of data falling within the scope of the regulation and how the new rules would apply to different actors. The report further strengthens trade secret protections for the benefit of data holders and clarifies provisions to make it easier for customers to switch cloud providers. The European Data Innovation Board, established by the Data Governance Act, would be given a role in coordinating the enforcement of this regulation.
More information here