Opinion of Cema
'Machine communication not covered by privacy law'
If it is up to Cema, the European trade association for agricultural tractor and implement manufacturers, the communication between machines is not covered by the new ePrivacy legislation. It calls free communication essential for further digitization of agriculture.
The European Parliament will vote on Thursday 19 October on so-called ePrivacy regulation for 'machine-to-machine communication (M2M)'. Expanding these regulations, the sector organization calls a major setback for agriculture. The machine industry is lagging behind. "The plans must be shelved," it wrote in a press release. "The vote in parliament is crucial next Thursday."
According to Cema, an expansion of regulations could seriously damage the digital transformation of the agricultural sector. This poses a risk to the competitive position of the European machinery sector on the global market.
Data transfer is the backbone of digitization
M2M communication is increasingly taking place between machines that work together on 1 plot. Telematics is a good example of this. The driver of the forage harvester or combine can see exactly where the tippers are located. The tractor driver may even be able to see how full the grain tank is. M2M communication is also being used more widely in the earthmoving sector. Ulrich Adam, Secretary General of Cema, calls M2M the 'backbone of a successful digital transformation in the agricultural sector.'
Companies have the solution themselves
Cece, the European trade association for earth-moving machines, agrees with the agricultural colleagues. Manufacturers are now concluding contracts themselves, which relate to the sharing of data. According to Cema, these so-called business-to-business relationships work adequately.
If the ePrivacy regulation is expanded, manufacturers are obliged to ask every user for permission. The trade associations call such a solution unproductive. They believe that complicated general terms and conditions can cause confusion. The digital 'single market' strategy, which the European Union has in mind, is jeopardized as a result.
Regulations intended for consumers
The ePrivacy regulation is intended to protect people and personal data in electronic communication. It's about consumers, not businesses. Cema and Cece emphasize that they are in favor of data privacy, but that the line between simple data exchange and data protection is thin. Extra regulation does not help with this.
Niels van der Boom
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