Article by article, how Big Tech shaped the EU's roll-back of digital rights (corporateeurope.org)

A recent analysis by Corporate Europe Observatory and LobbyControl reveals how Big Tech influenced the European Commission's Digital Omnibus proposals, which aim to deregulate EU digital laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the AI Act. Announced in late November 2025, these proposals threaten significant protections against tech companies' abuses, as they seek to undermine accountability and data privacy rights. Critics argue that this shift could cripple the EU's typically robust digital rights framework, allowing powerful corporations like Google, Microsoft, and Meta to exploit users' personal data with fewer restrictions. Key components of the Digital Omnibus include limiting the definition of personal data, restricting individuals' rights to access their data, and allowing the use of personal data for training AI without explicit consent. Notably, the Commission's proposals suggest that pseudonymized data may not be classified as personal data if companies claim they cannot identify individuals, thereby circumventing GDPR protections. Moreover, individuals' rights to access their data could be curtailed under the guise of preventing "abuse," a move criticized by privacy advocates as a means to diminish accountability for tech giants. The implications of these changes could lead to increased surveillance, unchecked data exploitation, and a significant weakening of the protective measures that empower European citizens in the digital landscape.