Overview
- Leaked drafts detail proposals to narrow the definition of personal data and expand 'legitimate interest' processing to let companies use data to train AI models.
- The package targets cookie consent banners for removal or phase‑out, enabling broader data collection without prior user approval in many cases.
- The Commission will propose a one‑year delay for key high‑risk AI obligations, shifting much of the AI Act’s enforcement from 2026 to 2027.
- EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen is set to present the measures with justice commissioner Michael McGrath as the executive frames the move as regulatory simplification to boost competitiveness.
- Civil society groups and several lawmakers warn of a rollback of rights, while major firms such as Airbus, Lufthansa and Mercedes‑Benz have pressed for relief, citing compliance burdens and delayed technical standards.