MEPs adopted rules to facilitate the provision of more data to help create new products and innovation, particularly in artificial intelligence. The Committee on Industry, Research and Energy adopted its position on Thursday on the EU Data Governance Act (DGA), which aims to increase confidence in data sharing, create new EU standards on data market neutrality and facilitate the re-use of certain data held by the public sector, such as certain health, agricultural or environmental data, which were not previously available under the Open Data Directive.
Facilitating data sharing is also a precondition for unlocking the potential of artificial intelligence and helping start-ups and businesses to develop an ecosystem based on EU standards and values. MEPs have clarified the scope of the legislation, with regards to data brokering services, in order to ensure that large technology companies are covered by the framework. Public bodies should avoid the conclusion of agreements that create exclusive rights for the re-use of certain data, say MEPs, proposing to limit exclusive agreements to a period of 12 months, in an effort to make more data available to SMEs and start-ups.
Sensitive public sector data may only be transferred to third countries if they enjoy a level of protection similar to that of the EU. The Commission will state whether a third country provides such protection, by means of a delegated act, which allows Parliament to have a say in the decision. To exploit the potential in the use of data made available voluntarily by informed consent or the general interest, such as scientific research, health care, combating climate change or improving mobility, the legislation should establish data pool on a voluntary registration system of recognised "data altruism" organisations in the EU.