Sawt Falasteen - EU bows to pressure on loosening AI, privacy rules

Part of a bid to slash red tape for European businesses struggling against US and Chinese rivals, the move is drawing accusations that Brussels is putting competitiveness ahead of citizens' privacy and protection.

Brussels denies that pressure from the US administration influenced its push to "simplify" the bloc's digital rules, which have drawn the wrath of President Donald Trump and American tech giants.

But the European Commission says it has heard the concerns of EU firms and wants to make it easier for them to access users' data for AI development -- a move critics attack as a threat to privacy.

One planned change could unite many Europeans in relief however: the EU wants to get rid of those pesky cookie banners seeking users' consent for tracking on websites.

According to EU officials and draft documents seen by AFP, which could change before the November 19 announcement, the European Commission will propose:

-- a one-year pause in the implementation of parts of its AI law

-- overhauling its flagship data protection rules, which privacy defenders say will make it easier for US Big Tech to "suck up Europeans' personal data".

The bloc's cornerstone General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) enshrined users' privacy from 2018 and influenced standards around the world.

The EU says it is only proposing technical changes to streamline the rules, but rights activists and EU lawmakers paint a different picture.

- 'Biggest rollback' -

The EU executive proposes to narrow the definition of personal data, and allow companies to process such data to train AI models "for purposes of a legitimate interest", a draft document shows.

Reaction to the leaks has been swift -- and strong.

"Unless the European Commission changes course, this would be the biggest rollback of digital fundamental rights in EU history," 127 groups, including civil society organisations and trade unions, wrote in a letter on Thursday.

Online privacy activist Max Schrems warned the proposals "would be a massive downgrading of Europeans' privacy" if they stay the same.

An EU official told AFP that Brussels is also expected to propose a one-year delay on implementing many provisions on high-risk AI, for example, models that can pose dangers to safety, health or citizens' fundamental rights.

Instead of taking effect next year, they would apply from 2027.

This move comes after heavy pressure from European businesses and US Big Tech.

Dozens of Europe's biggest companies, including France's Airbus and Germany's Lufthansa and Mercedes-Benz, called for a pause in July on the AI law which they warn risks stifling innovation.

- More battles ahead -

Commission president Ursula von der Leyen faces a battle ahead as the changes will need the approval of both the EU parliament and member states.

Her conservative camp's main coalition allies have raised the alarm, with the socialists saying they oppose any delay to the AI law, and the centrists warning they would stand firm against any changes that undermine privacy.

Noyb, a campaign group founded by Schrems, published a scathing takedown of the EU's plans for the GDPR and what they entail.

The EU has pushed back against claims that Brussels will reduce privacy.

"I can confirm 100 percent that the objective... is not to lower the high privacy standards we have for our citizens," EU spokesman for digital affairs, Thomas Regnier, said.

But there are fears that more changes to digital rules are on the way.

- Simplification, not deregulation -

The proposals are part of the EU executive's so-called simplification packages to remove what they describe as administrative burdens.

Brussels rejects any influence from Trump -- despite sustained pressure since the first weeks of the new US administration, when Vice President JD Vance railed against the "excessive regulation" of AI.

This "started before the mandate of the president of the US", chief commission spokeswoman Paula Pinho said this week.

Calls for changes to AI and data rules have been growing louder in Europe.

A major report last year by Italian ex-premier Mario Draghi also warned that data rules could hamper European businesses' AI innovation.

W.Mansour--SF-PST