Compliant with data protection regulations from the outset
Through ReguLab, the Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information aims to support companies in developing legally compliant innovations from the outset.
Louisa Specht-Riemenschneider at the DMEA. Photo: Messe Berlin
Data protection stifles innovation – Louisa Specht-Riemenschneider firmly refutes this frequently voiced criticism. The Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information does not see the current legal framework as the problem, but rather legal uncertainty as the enemy of progress.
Between progress and trust
According to Specht-Riemenschneider, data processing has both advantages and risks. In medicine, it can improve treatments and contribute to faster recovery. It enables work with large volumes of data, which are important for areas such as disease prevention and gender-specific medicine. At the same time, the protection of their personal data is a key concern for many people. 80 per cent of EU citizens are worried that their data might fall into the wrong hands.
The issue of data protection currently operates within this tension. Often, it is not taken into account from the outset in innovation, meaning that developments stall or are halted. Two-thirds of companies feel held back and restricted by data protection.
Data protection mentors for innovators
To help navigate the complex legal framework, Specht-Riemenschneider and her team have launched ReguLab. It aims to act as a mentor for companies working on innovations, offering guidance rather than deregulation. This is because an innovation developed in compliance with the law not only meets legal requirements, but also builds trust among future users, thereby laying the foundations for commercial success.
Linda Bienemann explained exactly how ReguLab works. Companies working on a new product can apply for the calls for proposals and receive support for up to a year. Following this, reports are published – without revealing any trade secrets. These, in turn, provide guidance to other firms facing similar challenges. Regulatory authorities also benefit from the collaboration, as research and policy-makers can respond to new technologies at an early stage.
Real-world laboratories such as ReguLab are also setting a precedent in other policy areas: for example, at the Federal Network Agency or the Ministry of Health. For Louisa Specht-Riemenschneider, they are an important tool for bringing regulation and innovation together in a way that is consistent with fundamental rights and values.