EU Must Rethink E-Privacy Directive in Wake of GDPR, Other Laws, Says Internet Association

The EU should rethink its e-privacy directive since it duplicates existing and new laws such as the general data protection regulation and "creates a fragmented privacy regime," said the Internet Association in Tuesday news release. In a filing to the EU, the group, which represents almost 40 internet companies including Facebook, Google and Twitter, said the directive has been "superseded" by several new legal instruments (see 1512160001) and creates "ambiguous implications." Internet Association General Counsel Abigail Slater said in the release the EU should assess the directive’s "continued relevance.” She said data protection policies also should include encryption and other mechanisms to safeguard people's electronic communications without back doors that weaken such protections.