The regulation currently being discussed in the context of the future European General Data Protection Regulation, whereby a maximum fine of 2% of a company's annual turnover is provided for, would, on the other hand, enable violations of data protection laws to be punished in a manner that would be felt economically.

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The Justice Committee found that a proposed new EU regulation would remove the information commissioner's funding for data protection work through the notification fee payable to him by all those who process personal information.

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Ms Reding admitted that there was not enough clarity in existing framework, but that a new data protection regulation, drawn up by the Commission at the end of January, would "bring further legal clarity".

BBC: Data protection question

Purser: As you correctly point out, the regulation states that the right to the protection of personal data is not an absolute right, but must be considered in relation to its function in society.

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