Data protection authority perspectives on the impact of data protection reform on cooperation in the EU

This article presents the findings of interviews with representatives from the majority of EU data protection authorities in the context of the ongoing data protection reform process. It identifies commonalities between the authorities to the extent it is possible to speak about a EU DPA perspective, but also identifies areas of tension and disagreement as well as future intentions. The focus of the article is upon the impact of the data protection reform process on the way that these independent bodies, located in EU Member States will increasingly have to cooperate at an EU-level. Capturing these perspectives at this moment in the reform process provides insight into the process from a group of concerned stakeholders, but also insight into how these stakeholders are (re-)positioning themselves, planning, and anticipating the impacts of the reform.This article is based upon research conducted as part of the PHAEDRA II project ("Improving practical and helpful cooperation between data protection authorities" and the article is possible due to the assistance and contribution of all project partners. The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Fundamental Rights and Citizenship Programme (JUST/2013/FRAC/AG6068), however the contents of this article are the sole responsibility of the authors and cannot be taken to represent the views of the European Commission. More information on the project can be found at http://www.phaedra-project.eu