Data is the raw material of the digital economy. However, it has often been unclear who is allowed to use and control the huge amounts of data collected by smart devices (refrigerators, industrial systems, cars, fitness bands).
The 'Data Act' aims to clarify this gray area. The EU Commission proposed the law in February 2022 to define access and sharing of data that has previously been primarily reserved for manufacturers. The new law allows consumers to voluntarily share their data with third parties, which theoretically can bring advantages such as cheaper repairs or spare parts. Additionally, the Data Act aims to facilitate switching between cloud service providers to promote competition and prevent lock-in to a single provider.
