Europe is set to simplify its AI and privacy regulations on Wednesday, easing the EU’s strict rules in a move critics argue could benefit Big Tech and U.S. President Donald Trump, according to a draft seen by Reuters.
The European Commission’s plans include allowing tech firms to use personal data to train AI models based on legitimate interest without asking for consent, and delaying rules for high-risk AI systems by a year, the report said.
EU antitrust chief Henna Virkkunen is due to present a ‘Digital Omnibus’ to cut red tape and overlapping laws such as the GDPR, the AI Act, the e-Privacy Directive, and the Data Act.
Companies from Google owner Alphabet (GOOGL), and Facebook owner Meta (META), to Europe’s Siemens (OTCPK:SIEGY) and SAP (SAP) have all called for revision of the AI rules.
According to earlier reports, the EU had been “engaging” with the Trump administration on adjustments to the AI Act and other digital regulations as part of its wider simplification process.
