New rules promise to change the way we use and share information online. This information is stored by websites in the form of cookies that we can either accept or reject via a pop up window that appears when we visit a new website. In January the European Commission proposed a new e-privacy regulation that could change this procedure in favour of setting preferences in our devices or browsers to avoid having to deal with these pop up windows every time. Before these new rules can enter into force, they will still need to be approved by the European Parliament. MEPs are expected to vote on the proposal during a plenary session in October. We discussed the plans with Estonian S&D member Marju Lauristin, the MEP responsible for steering the new rules through Parliament.



Why is there a need to update the present rules on online privacy?



The original directive was created in 2002: you can imagine how many things have changed since then! One of the most important changes is how we exchange information about our private life. We don’t exchange information through phones anymore, not even through emails so much. We exchange information through all kinds of social media: Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger and so on. All these tools and all these channels are not covered by the previous directive.



In addition this legislation will be implemented in all member states in similar ways, so there will be the same level of protection.