Today sees the next batch of #EU #Commission hopefuls put through the ringer by the European Parliament.
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Ireland's pick
has been put forward for a crucial portfolio for us - that of justice and fundamental rights - although with McGrath's finance background, some in Brussels have seen this as a bit of a snub for the country.You can also follow live directly at https://elections.europa.eu/european-commission/en/mcgrath/ - starting right now!
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It's a polished start for Commissioner-Designate McGrath as he says that his portfolio sits at the "core" of what the #EU stands for. He shows off his credentials as a national Parliamentarian and politician with 25 years of experience.
However, he's already talking about the importance of "competitiveness" - something that EDRi has worried was given too much prominence in McGrath's written answers to the Parliament. Competitiveness should not be the goal of the Justice and Rights Commissioner!
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The Commissioner-designate adds that he wants to be an honest broker who engages with CSOs and people "on the ground" - music to our ears?
He also commits to launch infringement proceedings for breaches of the Charter of Fundamental Rights. But time will tell if he can deliver on this promise.... -
We're particularly worried about the enormous focus in the last few minutes on "competitiveness", "reducing admin burdens for business", "a thriving economy", however .... is this not the hearing for the justice & fundamental rights Commissioner?
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A super hot topic
: the #GDPR. McGrath hails the law as a "success", but the first MEP question from the EPP Group attacks this vital data protection law, asking McGrath how he plans to "overcome" (!) it!Luckily McGrath doesn't take the bait, instead stating that "I do not believe that it [the GDPR] is contradictory to ... fostering and supporting innovation." 🥳 This is an important statement and push-back against the toxic political narrative that protecting people's rights is a 'barrier'!
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Next, the Socialists & Democrats (S&D) group questioned McGrath about safeguarding privacy & data protection, especially in the context of the #EU's data transfers agreements with third countries, some of which were struck down by the Court of Justice in the past. He was also questioned about the foreseen future data retention proposal ( a big
red flag for EDRi!) and how to ensure it complies with CJEU case law. As he gave no reply to those questions, we hope another MEP will raise them! -
Separately, you gotta give it to him: McGrath so far has dodged several far-right questions that attack the very foundations of the EU's rights-based order and its independent judiciary, with grace!
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A far-right MEP brings the hyperbolic German debate and fearmongering about the #DigitalServicesAct and #FreedomOfExpression into the room. Good to see that McGrath is informed enough to realise that while free speech must be protected, the #DSA isn't what's threatening it!
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McGrath has repeated several times that he will use the whole "EU toolbox" to protect rule of law, including infringement procedures. It's been over 10 years since the CJEU invalidated the #DataRetentionDirective.
Yet national data retention laws transposing it are still in place in the majority of MS (!) This is against EU law. The EC never lifted a finger to address this rule of law crisis. Will McGrath have the necessary courage where so many before have wilfully failed to act?
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After a question from the conservative EPP group, McGrath confirms he'll use the #DigitalFairnessAct (DFA) to tackle barriers to protecting people as consumers, especially safeguarding minors from unfair marketing techniques like in-app sales & gambling-like features in video games.
We call on the Commissioner-designate to use the #DFA to also address the massive gap in regulating #SurveillanceAds and pervasive online #tracking that continues to undermine everybody's #privacy online! -
Platform regulation: MEP Katarina Barley from the S&D group says the quiet part out loud: we need to tackle #BigTech's business model which harms not only minors online, but everybody!
McGrath seems to be aware of Big Tech's toxicity, but will he commit to curbing their power? His answer did not tell us much. -
More non-answers on platform reg: McGrath confirmed his agreement with Green MEP @kimvsparrentak's goals to better protect people against addictive designs by digital services. Unfortunately, he did not respond to her demand that he commit to ban these harmful practices.
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It's groundhog day: we are back to MEPs asking the Commissioner-des for JUSTICE and RIGHTS what he will do for COMPETITIVENESS, GROWTH and INNOVATION. He commits to "reducing red tape"
, but (small concession) at least says he will do it in a way that "doesn't dilute rights".
