Europe’s approach to data protection requires a total overhaul, Ms Egan told Mr O’Callaghan in her letter. An effective green light from the Data Protection Commission, which enforces data and privacy laws in Ireland, was a ”welcome step”, she wrote. “This development highlights, again, the urgent need for GDPR reform to ensure balance, coherence and effectiveness in the EU’s data protection framework,” the letter said. Meta has been handed several fines by Ireland’s regulator and the European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, for breaching data protection or digital regulations. A Department of Justice spokesman said Ireland supported the commission’s plan to simplify EU data protection laws.
