Irish DPC Looks to EDPB for AI Act Compliance Guidance
The Irish Data Protection Authority (DPC) is awaiting guidance from the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) regarding its potential role as the national regulator for the forthcoming AI Act. Data protection commissioners Des Hogan and Dale Sunderland have stated that the EDPB will provide an opinion on how to handle AI-related inquiries under the EU’s privacy regulations by the end of the year. This guidance is crucial as it will help ensure consistent application of data protection rules across Europe, especially concerning the treatment of personal data in AI training models.
Hogan and Sunderland, who assumed their roles in February, highlighted the need for harmonization among national regulators. They noted that various companies are interpreting data protection rules differently, leading to confusion and inconsistency. The DPC has been increasingly involved in AI-related issues under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), particularly as major online platforms like X, Meta, and Google seek to deploy large language models using EU users’ personal data for training.
The incoming Irish government faces the challenge of determining which authority will oversee compliance with the AI Act after the elections on November 29. National governments have until August next year to inform the European Commission of their decisions. The DPC has already faced resistance from tech giants regarding its strict regulations on the use of EU data for AI purposes, with Meta expressing concerns about the regulatory environment in an open letter.
Despite these challenges, the DPC remains committed to enforcing GDPR compliance. Hogan mentioned that some companies are not satisfied with the DPC’s approach, which may necessitate legal action in cases of non-compliance. The authority is also focused on concluding ongoing investigations, with two significant decisions regarding Big Tech expected by year-end. Recently, the DPC imposed fines of €310 million on LinkedIn for improper data usage and €91 million on Meta for failing to safeguard user passwords.
Source: Irish privacy watchdog awaiting clarity from EU on AI regulation
