Big Tech Lobbying Shapes EU’s “Digital Omnibus” Data Reform

The European Commission introduced the “Digital Omnibus” in November 2025 to overhaul privacy rules and facilitate AI development. A central change would let developers rely on the legal basis of “legitimate interest,” permitting the use of personal data for AI without explicit consent, provided the purpose is deemed necessary and does not override individuals’ rights. The proposal has sparked debate over how much control citizens retain over sensitive information such as ethnicity, political beliefs, or sexual orientation.

EU governments want to ease access to citizens’ data for AI. Report points to heavy lobbying

Research by Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO) and LobbyControl documented 655 lobbying meetings with members of the European Parliament since the proposal’s debut. Business interests accounted for 83 % of those encounters, while civil-society groups and trade unions comprised only 11 %. In Germany, the government held 85 meetings with 11 non-European tech firms between May 2025 and September 2026, averaging 1.5 meetings per week; the firms collectively participated in 103 meetings. In Ireland, Meta approached 41 policymakers and MEPs, and Google contacted 30 officials during the same period.

EU governments want to ease access to citizens’ data for AI. Report points to heavy lobbying EU Observer

Campaigners warn the lobbying push could “kill data protection in Europe.”

EU Observer

• “Our research shows that Big Tech enjoys unprecedented access to the highest levels of government across Europe,” — Bram Vranken, campaigner and researcher at Corporate Europe Observatory

EU governments want to ease access to citizens’ data for AI. Report points to heavy lobbying

The lobbying surge underscores a tension between fostering AI innovation and preserving EU privacy safeguards, a balance that will be decided as the Digital Omnibus moves through the European Parliament.

EU Observer