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\t\tThe EU Data Act comes into force on Friday\t<\/p>\n
The European Union<\/a> (EU) Data Act, which is designed to boost the region\u2019s data economy and support a more competitive market, is the latest piece of legislation putting technology under the spotlight.<\/p>\n With this new law, the EU aims to build an internal market where data can move freely, unlocking more opportunities for businesses, individuals, and public institutions alike.<\/p>\n The European Commission first put forward the law in 2022 to require smart device manufacturers to design products that make it straightforward for users to access and share their own data.<\/p>\n The Act was formally approved by the European Parliament in late 2023, and enforcement began at the start of last year; however, its main provisions will only take effect from 12 September.<\/p>\n It was made to target businesses that manufacture or provide access to data from connected products (IoT devices), data processing services (cloud providers), and public authorities.<\/p>\n Deloitte stated \u201corganisations will need to adapt and adjust.\u201d If found violating these new rules, businesses could face fines of up to \u20ac20m (\u00a317.3m), or four per cent of a company\u2019s total global annual revenue, whichever is higher.<\/p>\n The law also extends worldwide, which affects all companies that operate in the EU market.<\/p>\n Anita Hodea, associate at law firm Katten Muchin Rosenman, said: \u201cThe Act encompasses all data processing activities, covering both personal and non-personal data.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFor companies, the Act requires designing products for accessible and secure data, enabling fair third-party sharing and improving transparency,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tRead more<\/p>\n \t\t\tWhy the Online Safety Act has become a political nightmare<\/a><\/p>\n Chris Gow, senior director at Cisco, said: \u201cThe Act currently introduces overlapping and complex requirements for transferring non-personal data, especially for companies handling mixed data sets.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cData privacy and security must always come first, but rules for transferring data across borders should be balanced and based on actual risks,\u201d he added. \u00a0<\/p>\n Focus on Big Tech<\/p>\n The new law, enacted today, joins the flurry of laws the Commission has been enacting over recent years, including its Digital Markets Act, as the EU focuses its attention on Big Tech firms.<\/p>\n Over the years, the EU has imposed multi-billion-pound fines on Big Tech, including nearly \u20ac3bn against Alphabet\u2019s Google for anti-competitive practices earlier this month.<\/p>\n Back in April, the Commission took its first enforcement actions under the\u00a0Digital Markets Act,<\/a> resulting in the imposition of significant fines on Apple and Meta<\/a>, totalling \u00a3600m.<\/p>\n However, Big Tech firms are trying to push back. Fresh on the launch of its new iPhone and AirPods, Apple showcased its new real-time translation feature directly through the earbuds.<\/p>\n A feature that would be beneficial to a region with 24 official languages; however, Apple stated that this feature won\u2019t work for users in Europe. It was reported that Apple was blocking the functionality due to its interpretation of the EU\u2019s Digital Markets Act.<\/p>\n A decision that confused the Commission, with a spokesperson saying, \u201cWe are not able to understand the nature of Apple\u2019s concerns.\u201d<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tRead more<\/p>\n