Killing The Internet

The beginning of 2013 could not have been more dramatic for the future of European data protection.  After months of deliberations, veiled announcements and guarded statements, the rapporteur of the European Parliament's committee responsible for taking forward the ongoing legislative reform has revealed his position loudly and clearly.  Jan Albrecht's proposal is by no means the final say of the Parliament but it is an indication of where an MEP who has thought long and hard about what the new data protection law should look like stands.  The reactions have been equally loud.  The European Commission has calmly welcomed the proposal, whilst some Member States' governments have expressed serious concerns about its potential impact on the information economy.  Amongst the stakeholders, the range of opinions vary quite considerably – Albrecht's approach is praised by regulators whilst industry leaders have massive misgivings about it.  So who is right?  Is this