Media groups urge EU to revise proposed consent rules in Digital Omnibus
A coalition led by the European Broadcasting Union warns that planned data consent restrictions could limit how media organisations interact with audiences and deliver services.
A group of European media associations has called on EU institutions to reconsider proposed changes to data consent rules under the Digital Omnibus initiative, arguing that the measures could disrupt existing digital media models.
In a joint letter, the European Broadcasting Union and other industry bodies raised concerns about new provisions linked to amendments of the General Data Protection Regulation. The proposal introduces additional constraints on how organisations can request user consent for data use, including limits on the frequency and format of such requests.
According to the signatories, the changes could shift consent management towards browser-based or centralised mechanisms, reducing direct interaction between media providers and their audiences. They argue this may affect audience measurement practices and the development of digital services in a competitive market.
The letter also questions whether proposed exemptions for media organisations would be sufficient to maintain current operational models. It calls for the removal of specific provisions and for a broader review of the EU’s data protection framework to better reflect sector-specific practices.
