EU data law
More rights for users-EU data law applies
The coffee machine as a data treasure? A new EU law makes device data accessible to users. Not only should they benefit from it.
Consumers receive more rights to the data that collect their networked devices. The EU data law (“EU-data act”) now applies to smart TVs, modern kitchen appliances, but also cars and some industrial machines. Manufacturers must therefore disclose what information is collected for old and new devices – and how users can access it.
The EU’s data law already came into force at the beginning of 2024 and is now used. It is intended to facilitate consumers to pass on their device data to other services, for example, to use other services if necessary – for example for repair purposes. In the end, this should make services cheaper and easier.
In addition, more revealing data trading according to the plans of the EU are to create new business areas or to grow existing.
Many devices affected – business associations have criticism
According to the EU regulation, the rules apply to all so-called networked devices. The requirements also expressly include devices with wired data transmission. A coffee machine that could transmit data for repair purposes, for example, falls as well as “smart” devices that are controlled by wireless connection or app.
The data concerned includes “any digital presentation of actions, facts or information”. It is therefore more important whether the device affected generates or collects data about its use, performance or environment – and less as it does. The list of affected industries and social areas is therefore comprehensive.
Criticism of the regulation comes from the Digitalverband Bitkom and the Federal Association of German Industry (BDI), for example because there is no permanent contact persons in the authorities in Germany. There is therefore still a lot of uncertainty in Germany because of the EU regulation.
dpa
Source: Stern
