Europol seeks new powers to process personal data, more AI in policing
Published: 21/09/2026
| Statewatch
A new draft regulation proposed on 24 June 2026 would grant Europol unprecedented access to personal data in current and future cross-border investigations, and accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) systems by European police authorities.
Under current rules, Europol cannot search or retain personal records without indications of relevance from the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS). The new measures would permit the agency to bypass proportionality safeguards, categorising requirements to limit stored material to an individual's specific criminal involvement as administrative burdens.
Non-profit civil society organisation Statewatch warns the move erodes core privacy rights, arguing that narrow surveillance exceptions for severe offences are systematically expanded into broader law enforcement powers.
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