Bruno Gencarelli Leads Vote for European Data Protection Supervisor
The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs of the European Parliament recently held a secret ballot to rank candidates for the position of European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS). Bruno Gencarelli emerged as the top candidate, receiving 32 votes, followed closely by François Pellegrini with 30 votes. Wojciech Wiewiórowski secured 26 votes, while Anna Pouliou garnered 11 votes. This selection process follows a hearing where MEPs assessed the candidates’ qualifications for the role, focusing on the balance between security and fundamental rights, particularly in areas such as data retention and law enforcement.
During the hearing, candidates addressed crucial issues, including the need for prioritization and consistency in light of the expanded responsibilities of the EDPS. The discussions also highlighted the implications of new technologies on data protection and privacy. The candidates provided insights into how they would navigate the evolving landscape of data protection while ensuring compliance with existing regulations.
Following the vote, the Chair of the Civil Liberties Committee will present the results to the Conference of Presidents, which includes the EP President and the leaders of the political groups. Once confirmed, the European Parliament and the Council will jointly appoint the new EDPS for a five-year term. This appointment is significant as the EDPS plays a vital role in overseeing how EU institutions process personal data, ensuring adherence to privacy standards.
The European Data Protection Supervisor serves as the independent authority responsible for monitoring compliance with data protection regulations across EU institutions. With the recent expansion of the EDPS’s role due to new digital legislation, the supervisor is tasked with ensuring that EU bodies comply with the Artificial Intelligence Act and other relevant laws in their use of AI systems.
