EU Privacy Chief Slams AI Data Harvesting Proposal

The dispute centers on a proposal within the bloc’s 'Digital Omnibus', specifically targeting amendments to Article 88 of the General Data Protection Regulation. Under the current framework, this article governs how personal information is handled in employment settings. The new text, introduced by the Irish EU Council presidency, seeks to allow employers to justify data harvesting for AI development under the umbrella of 'legitimate interest.'

Critics argue this shift effectively grants companies a blank check to exploit employee data without explicit consent. Wiewiórowski warned that removing these protections undermines the core principles of European privacy law. Technical discussions regarding the renamed Article 88bis are scheduled for September 25, marking a critical juncture for the future of workplace surveillance and AI training protocols.