Rising costs associated with data protection regulations

According to a recent survey by Bitkom, a prominent German digital association, data protection regulations are proving to be burdensome for many companies in the country. The survey, conducted among 603 company representatives from various industries, revealed that 97% of companies have at least a high workload due to data protection, a 3% increase compared to last year.

The survey's findings were presented by Dr. Ralf Wintergerst, Bitkom's President. Wintergerst criticized the excessive complexity of data protection, stating that it requires a more practical approach. He did not advocate for the abolition of data protection but emphasized the need to reduce documentation and reporting requirements for data protection.

The Bitkom President also highlighted the varying interpretations of data protection and the existence of numerous supervisory authorities for data protection. Wintergerst suggested that data protection should be more oriented towards real risks, and artificial intelligence should be taken into account more in this regard.

However, Wintergerst did not provide details on how technological developments, such as artificial intelligence, should be incorporated into data protection. He did stress that the goal is to make data protection more manageable and less burdensome for companies.

The survey results also showed a significant increase in the percentage of companies with a very high workload due to data protection. Last year, 38% of company representatives reported a very high workload, but this year, that figure has risen to 44%. This indicates a clear increase in the workload due to data protection for German companies compared to the same survey last year.

Wintergerst's comments were focused on the complexity and practicality of the current data protection regulations. He did not mention any specific changes or reforms in the data protection regulations but suggested that AI could play a role in simplifying the process.

In conclusion, the Bitkom survey indicates a rise in the workload due to data protection for German companies compared to last year. The survey's findings, along with Wintergerst's comments, underscore the need for a more practical and manageable approach to data protection, particularly in light of technological advancements like artificial intelligence.