Hungarian EU Presidency Eyes e-Privacy Directive Review
The Hungarian presidency of the Council of the EU is considering reviving the review of the e-Privacy directive, as indicated in the draft Council conclusions dated 9 October. This document, the third iteration, is a compromise among the 27 member states, aiming for a common response to the Commission’s February white paper on Europe’s digital infrastructure needs. The second compromise text will be discussed in a Telecom Council working party on 15 October, highlighting the importance of horizontal privacy regulation for a competitive digital ecosystem.
The document suggests reassessing telecommunications privacy to ensure the confidentiality of electronic communications, potentially raising the priority of the 2002 e-Privacy directive review, which stalled in 2017. This review could extend privacy and security requirements to social media messages. Additionally, the Hungarian presidency has removed proposals to reinforce digital funds, aligning with the Council’s plan to cut €643 million from digital and research initiatives in the next EU budget.
On telecom consolidation, the revised text advocates for assessments by national regulatory authorities to maintain competition, softening previous language that suggested consolidation might foster investment. The document also emphasizes the need for comprehensive impact assessments before any legislative proposals, including the upcoming reviews of the European Electronics Communication Code and the Digital Networks Act.
The draft maintains support for the current spectrum management system, with member states holding significant power, and highlights concerns over GPS jamming from Russia. The transition from copper to fiber should not harm competition, and the Council supports green investment incentives for fiber and 5G rollout. The text also underscores cybersecurity efforts, particularly in securing telecom infrastructures and advancing post-quantum cryptography.
