GDPR News » Data protection day

EDPO attended the Data Protection Day organised by the EDPS and the Council of Europe. Here are the key takeaways that stood out for us. The 2026 edition, themed “Reset or refine?”, explored how Europe can modernise data protection frameworks while maintaining a human-centric approach.

A key takeaway is that, in a time of rapid technological development, growing societal expectations, and shifting international dynamics, the challenge is not whether to rethink data protection frameworks, but rather how to continuously refine and strengthen them, while preserving their fundamental rights foundations.

Throughout the day, academics, professionals, and other stakeholders explored how Europe can adapt without compromising core data protection principles in the face of accelerating technological change and the broader geopolitical context. Below are the main insights.

• Clarifying what counts as personal data.

The debate around the EDPS v SRB (C-413/23 P) case highlighted the importance of interpreting personal data consistently across contexts, including online tracking.

• Reducing red tape without weakening rights.

Panels explored how regulatory simplification could coexist with strong safeguards for individuals, balancing efficiency and robust data protection.

• Data protection as a democratic safeguard.

Speakers emphasized that data protection extends beyond privacy to underpin democratic governance, highlighting the global leadership role of Europe in this area.

Main takeaway.

Across all discussions, one conclusion stood out: effective data protection today depends less on entirely new principles and more on applying existing ones intelligently, consistently, and cooperatively.

A day full of insightful discussions, practical perspectives, and forward-looking visions. Thank you to the EDPS and the Council of Europe for bringing together such a strong community around the future of data protection.