What changed

1. Notes that the 2023 operating budget of the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) amounted to EUR 22 711 559 and compared to the 2022 final budget, the operating budget increased by 12 %; welcomes that, in 2023, the implementation rate of the commitment appropriations by the EDPS was 96 %;

2. Notes the increased number of legislative consultations by the EDPS, resulting in 82 formal legislative consultations, 54 opinions and 26 formal comments; appreciates the contribution of the EDPS to legislative work, including in cooperation with the European Data Protection Board; notes the increased role of the EDPS in multiple new legislative acts, including the Artificial Intelligence Act, under which EDPS becomes the competent authority for the Union institutions, agencies, offices and bodies, where the EDPS has been delegated further tasks; emphasizes that these additional responsibilities, delegated by the co-legislators, require adequate resources to ensure the EDPS can effectively fulfil its obligations;

3. Emphasises the role of the EDPS in supervising the processing of personal data by Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies; notes with concern the length of proceedings before the EDPS, as the EDPS did not close a single investigation in 2023;2023, but in comparison to the previous year, in 2023, the number of notifications beyond the 72 hours significantly decreased;

4. Welcomes the EDPS's focus on ensuring that external contractors meet the necessary moral and ethical standards expected of all Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies, particularly in light of the previous use of external companies by EDPS that, according to Yale University's ranking, continue to operate in Russia; appreciates that EDPS uses key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor its performance in light of the main objectives set out in the EDPS Strategy, which contributes to ensure adaptability to activities where needed and to increase the effective use or resources;

5. Expresses concern about the significant increase in EDPS staff mission costs, from EUR 28 789 in 2021 and EUR 176 903 in 2022, to EUR 284 580 in 2023; calls on the EDPS to assess whether the resources spent on missions are being used appropriately and effectively; notes that the EDPS ceased making public the number of missions funded by organisers, as well as information on which unit or sector participated in each mission, thus reducing transparency regarding mission expenses; calls on the EDPS to reinstate this practice.

ANNEX: ENTITIES OR PERSONS FROM WHOM THE RAPPORTEUR HAS RECEIVED INPUT

The rapporteur for the opinion declares under his exclusive responsibility that he did not receive input from any entity or person to be mentioned in this Annex pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure.

INFORMATION ON ADOPTION BY COMMITTEE ASKED FOR OPINION

Date adopted

6.2.2025

Result of final vote

+:

–:

0:

47

8

5

Members present for the final vote

Magdalena Adamowicz, Giuseppe Antoci, Jaume Asens Llodrà, Nikola Bartůšek, Krzysztof Brejza, Saskia Bricmont, Jaroslav Bžoch, Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová, Lena Düpont, Marieke Ehlers, Raquel García Hermida-Van Der Walle, Branko Grims, Evin Incir, Irena Joveva, Erik Kaliňák, Marina Kaljurand, Fabienne Keller, András László, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Erik Marquardt, Michael McNamara, Birgit Sippel, Krzysztof Śmiszek, Petra Steger, Cecilia Strada, Georgiana Teodorescu, Milan Uhrík, Tom Vandendriessche, Charlie Weimers, Sophie Wilmès, Alessandro Zan, Javier Zarzalejos, Tomáš Zdechovský

Substitutes present for the final vote

Fredis Beleris, David Casa, Sigrid Friis, Markéta Gregorová, Hannah Neumann, Gaetano Pedulla’, Sandro Ruotolo, Oliver Schenk, Alexander Sell, Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz, Malika Sorel, António Tânger Corrêa, Marco Tarquinio, Pekka Toveri, Loránt Vincze, Petar Volgin, Axel Voss, Michał Wawrykiewicz, Lucia Yar

Members under Rule 216(7) present for the final vote

Bart Groothuis, Rima Hassan, Anja Hazekamp, Pär Holmgren, Sérgio Humberto, Evelyn Regner, Carla Tavares, Ingeborg Ter Laak

FINAL VOTE BY ROLL CALL BY THE COMMITTEE ASKED FOR OPINION

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