On July 7, 2026, the European Data Protection Board (“EDPB”) adopted draft Guidelines 02/2026 on Anonymisation (“Guidelines”), updating a 2014 Opinion on Anonymization Techniques. While the EDPB maintains a cautious approach to anonymization, the new Guidelines appear to offer a more structured and practical framework for assessing whether information can be considered anonymous. The Guidelines are open for public consultation until October 30, 2026.
Continue Reading EDPB Publishes Draft Guidelines on AnonymisationData Protection
CJEU Clarifies the Conditions for Seizure of Business Emails During Competition Inspections
On July 9, 2026, the Court of Justice of the European Union (“CJEU” or “Court”) delivered its judgment in Sky Österreich Fernsehen (C-234/25), deciding that a streaming offering constitutes a digital service under the Consumer Rights Directive (Directive 2011/83/EU), rather than digital content, where the trader’s offering is of a dynamic nature and goes beyond the stable or continuous provision of specific content. As a result, providers of such streaming offerings cannot rely on the Consumer Rights Directive’s exception to the right of withdrawal for digital content.
The judgment has broad implications for providers of personalised digital services, as it affects whether consumers can cancel a subscription during the 14-day withdrawal period and, if they do, how much providers may charge for use of the service during that period.
Continue Reading CJEU Clarifies the Conditions for Seizure of Business Emails During Competition InspectionsPost-Quantum Cryptography: A Practical Guide
By Paul Maynard & Tamzin Bond on
A key benefit of quantum computing is that it may, in the future, enable a very substantial increase in computing power. This could create significant benefits, in the life sciences and financial services sectors (see our prior posts on the potential implications for these sectors here and here). However, it also creates potential risks. In particular, it could lead to the breaking of many of the encryption methods currently used by governments and businesses alike. As commercially-viable quantum computers become an increasing reality, organisations must prioritise “quantum readiness” and specifically migration to post-quantum cryptography (“PQC”).
In this post, we set out a brief overview of the main steps that regulators and industry bodies (including the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (“NIST”), the UK National Cyber Security Centre (“NCSC”), and the EU Agency for Cybersecurity (“ENISA”)) have indicated businesses should take to move towards PQC and protect their data and systems from the risks posed by quantum computing.
Continue Reading Post-Quantum Cryptography: A Practical GuideCNIL Updates Two Standards For Health Research (MR-001 and MR-003)
By Kristof Van Quathem & Alix Bertrand on
Posted in Data Protection, Privacy
On May 26, 2026, the French data protection authority (“CNIL”) published updated versions of its Reference Methodology 001 (“MR-001”, available here in French) and Reference Methodology 003 (“MR-003”, available here in French), two key frameworks governing the processing of personal data in the context of health research.
Continue Reading CNIL Updates Two Standards For Health Research (MR-001 and MR-003)Amadeus IT Group Receives GDPR Fine
By Joshua Gray, Nigel Howard & Will Capstick on
On May 26, 2026, the Spanish Data Protection Agency (“AEPD”) published details of its decision to fine Amadeus IT Group, S.A. (“Amadeus”), a Madrid-headquartered technology provider for the global travel and tourism industry, EUR 18 million in connection with GDPR violations involving Amadeus’s Global Distribution System (“GDS”). Amadeus voluntarily paid the fine, less a 20% reduction, on May 29, 2025, thereby terminating the proceedings without admitting liability. The fine, one of the largest the AEPD has imposed, highlights the enforcement risks associated with repurposing personal data such as passenger data without appropriate transparency or a valid legal basis under the GDPR.
Continue Reading Amadeus IT Group Receives GDPR FineOfcom and ICO Issue Joint Statement on Age Assurance
By Claudia Berg, Jadzia Pierce & Sam Jungyun Choi on
(“Joint Statement”). The Joint Statement is aimed at services likely to be accessed by children that fall within the scope of the Online Safety Act 2023 (“OSA”) and UK data protection legislation, and is designed to help providers comply with both their online safety and data protection obligations when deploying age assurance.
The Joint Statement arrives alongside a broader push from both regulators—including Ofcom’s recent call to action directed at major tech firms, an open letter from the ICO urging platforms to strengthen their age checks, and several enforcement actions by both regulators.
Continue Reading Ofcom and ICO Issue Joint Statement on Age AssuranceColorado Officials Push to Repeal and Replace the Colorado AI Act
On March 17, Colorado Governor Jared Polis released a draft bill that would substantially overhaul the Colorado AI Act, replacing its core requirements with a narrower regime focused on disclosure, recordkeeping, and consumer notice requirements for “automated decision-making technology” (“ADMT”). The proposal, which is still in draft form and…
Continue Reading Colorado Officials Push to Repeal and Replace the Colorado AI ActEU Regulators Issue Opinion on Revisions of GDPR and Other Data Laws
On February 11, 2026, the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) and the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) (jointly, the Authorities) issued a Joint Opinion on the European Commission’s proposed Digital Omnibus Regulation (Digital Omnibus). This follows their Joint Opinion of January 20, 2026 on the Digital Omnibus on AI.
The Digital Omnibus, as with the other “omnibuses” released by the Commission, aims to streamline several EU laws, reduce administrative burdens for covered entities, and enhance competitiveness in the EU. Once adopted, it should reshape how organizations handle personal data generally, including in relation to AI development, scientific research, and incident reporting. The Authorities welcome efforts to simplify and to promote consistent interpretations of key concepts found in the GDPR, the ePrivacy Directive, the NIS2 Directive, and the remaining Data Acquis. At the same time, they caution that this initiative launched by the Commission must not weaken fundamental rights protections, including data protection.
Below is an overview of the Authorities’ positions. It covers only the key amendments discussed in our previous blog post on the Digital Omnibus.
Continue Reading EU Regulators Issue Opinion on Revisions of GDPR and Other Data LawsCJEU Clarifies Responsibilities Of Online Marketplace Operators
By Dan Cooper, Kristof Van Quathem & Alix Bertrand on
On December 2, 2025, the Court of Justice of the European Union (“CJEU”) issued a decision clarifying the obligations of online marketplace operators with regard to content posted on their platform, where such content includes personal data. This blogpost provides an overview of the decision and its key takeaways.
Continue Reading CJEU Clarifies Responsibilities Of Online Marketplace OperatorsCovington Tech Briefing Spotlight: Impact of Latest Policy Developments on the Tech Industry
On September 24, 2025, Covington’s tech industry experts explored what legal teams, government affairs professionals, and business leaders at tech companies need to know during this pivotal period and offered insights into anticipated challenges and emerging opportunities in the year ahead. Eight Covington attorneys shared their insights during a 60-minute session moderated by Covington partner Holly Fechner. Key takeaways from the Forum are outlined below.
Continue Reading Covington Tech Briefing Spotlight: Impact of Latest Policy Developments on the Tech Industry