Irish data cops plan long soak in CASH BATH: Gee thanks, Facebook, Twitter, Google

Irish data protection authorities are expecting a cash injection in tomorrow’s budget.

Currently the Office of Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) spends around €1.7m a year, but there are fears across Europe that this will be insufficient if the draft Data Protection Regulation becomes law in its current form.

Facebook, Google, Apple, Twitter and LinkedIn are all headquartered in Ireland and the new law would see the country responsible for policing their data protection activity. According to a report in the Irish Times, the DPC’s budget could be increased by about two-thirds and a second office is expected to be opened in Dublin, to support the body’s headquarters in Portarlington, County Laois.

Irish MEP Sean Kelly said he was pleased with the expected announcement of increased resources. “I have worked closely with the Irish government on this matter in the past and an increase in resources for this important regulatory body will display the importance the Irish authorities place in applying robust and independent regulatory oversight to the burgeoning data-driven sector in Ireland,” he said. ®