Amendment 282· Digital Omnibus proposal Recital 32
~Alternative
Text of the amendment
As tabled
Wordingagainst the Commission’s
(32) The processing of personal data for scientific research purposes and the application of the GDPR’s provisions on scientific research are conditional on the adoption of appropriate safeguards for the rights and freedoms of data subjects, pursuant to Article 89(1) GDPR. To that end, the GDPR balances the right to protection of personal data, pursuant to Article 8 CFREU, with the freedom of science, pursuant to Article 13 CFREU. Directive (EU) 2016/680 constitutes the lex specialis governing the processing of personal data by competent authorities for law enforcement purposes and provides the specific data protection framework applicable to such processing. The obligations laid down in this Regulation should therefore be interpreted and applied in a manner that avoids unnecessary duplication of safeguards and administrative obligations already ensured under Directive (EU) 2016/680 and national law. The processing of personal data for the purpose of scientific research therefore pursues a legitimate interest within the meaning of Article 6(1)(f) of Regulation (EU) 2016/679, provided that such research is not contrary to Union or Member State law. This is without prejudice to the obligation of the controller to ensure that all other conditions of Article 6(1)(f) of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 as well as all other requirements and principles of that Regulation are met.
Struck CommissionHighlighted amendment
Target
Wording of the targeted provisionlaw in force, Commission proposal, latest Council text
Commission proposalCOM(2025) 837
The processing of personal data for scientific research purposes and the application of the GDPR’s provisions on scientific research are conditional on the adoption of appropriate safeguards for the rights and freedoms of data subjects, pursuant to Article 89(1) GDPR. To that end, the GDPR balances the right to protection of personal data, pursuant to Article 8 CFREU, with the freedom of science, pursuant to Article 13 CFREU. The processing of personal data for the purpose of scientific research therefore pursues a legitimate interest within the meaning of Article 6(1)(f) of Regulation (EU) 2016/679, provided that such research is not contrary to Union or Member State law. This is without prejudice to the obligation of the controller to ensure that all other conditions of Article 6(1)(f) of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 as well as all other requirements and principles of that Regulation are met.
Council text of 22 October 2026ST 14756/26
The processing of personal data for scientific research purposes and the application of the GDPR’s provisions on scientific research are conditional on the adoption of appropriate safeguards for the rights and freedoms of data subjects, pursuant to Article 89(1) GDPR. To that end, the GDPR balances the right to protection of personal data, pursuant to Article 8 CFREU, with the freedom of science, pursuant to Article 13 CFREU. The processing of personal data for the purpose of scientific research can follow public interest within the meaning of Article 6(1)(e) of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 or be based on Member States and Union law. The processing of personal data for the purpose of scientific research may also be necessary for the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by a controller or by a third-party within the meaning of Article 6(1)(f) of Regulation (EU) 2016/679, provided that such research is not contrary to Union or Member State law. This is without prejudice to the obligation of the controller to ensure that all other conditions of Article 6(1)(f) of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 as well as all other requirements and principles of that Regulation are met.
Cite this amendment
Amendment 282 (Verena Mertens), European Parliament, Committee on Industry, Research and Energy and Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, amendments 251–400 to the draft report on COM(2025) 837 (CJ72-AM-790967, PE790.967v01-00, 27 July 2026), pp. 32–33
Link, short form and official text
Amendment 282 (Verena Mertens), European Parliament, Committee on Industry, Research and Energy and Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, amendments 251–400 to the draft report on COM(2025) 837 (CJ72-AM-790967, PE790.967v01-00, 27 July 2026), pp. 32–33
ITRE–LIBE Amendment 282 (CJ72-AM-790967), p. 32