Ministry calls for feedback on EU digital omnibus

TALLINN - The Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs is inviting feedback on the EU's "digital omnibus," a proposal that aims to consolidate European data, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence regulations under a single framework.

The European Commission has initiated a comprehensive legislative update package, dubbed the EU "digital omnibus." This substantial collection of proposals aims to consolidate and modernize the rules governing European data protection, data law, cybersecurity, and the use of artificial intelligence. The Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs has begun a detailed analysis of the package and is involved in formulating Estonia's position to ensure a clearer and more user-friendly European legal environment for its people and businesses.

The goal is to consolidate these topics into a single legislative act, making the subject clearer and simpler for the public.

"The landscape of digital rules is fragmented and has been difficult for businesses and individuals to understand. The so-called digital omnibus will bring several previously separate digital legislative acts under one roof, making the rules clearer and easier to apply, and creating an opportunity to reduce unnecessary administrative burden across the EU," said Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa Pakosta.

Pakosta further emphasized that this is a crucial moment for the European legal space: "The digital omnibus is a very significant change for the entire system of European digital rules. Its goal is to enhance legal clarity, eliminate contradictions between legislative acts, and make the rules more understandable for people. When regulation is clear and effective, users, businesses, and the public sector all benefit."

The digital omnibus proposals also involve clarifying the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), streamlining the process for cookie consent, and simplifying the Artificial Intelligence Act. All proposed changes are still in the analysis phase, but their impact is expected to be extensive, affecting data usage, rights in the digital environment, and the application of artificial intelligence.

The "journey" of the digital omnibus is just beginning, and the final content and form of its adoption will be determined through discussions among member states and within European institutions. Estonia is actively participating in these European-level discussions by gathering and providing input to ensure that future regulations support the functioning of the digital state, the competitiveness of the business environment, and individual rights.

To this end, we are involving stakeholders in the process of shaping Estonia's positions and will submit the draft regulations for public comment.

The Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs welcomes feedback on the digital omnibus proposals by December 19 at [email protected].