{
  "id": 8889937,
  "title": "„Plattform Privatheit“: Forscher: Datenschutz bremst Innovation nicht aus",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/plattform-privatheit-forscher-datenschutz-bremst-innovation-nicht-aus",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-21T08:49:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/technik/it-internet/plattform-privatheit-forscher-datenschutz-bremst-innovation-nicht-aus/100255204.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "A new project called \"Platform Privacy\" argues that reducing data protection standards is not a good way to boost Europe's competitiveness in the digital economy. The research comes from a guideline paper produced by the project, which is led by the Fraunhofer Institute for System and Innovation Research (ISI) and the University of Kassel. Instead of pursuing blanket deregulation, Europe should build its economic future on privacy-friendly technologies, digital sovereignty, and trustworthy innovation. The common belief that less privacy leads to more innovation is not supported by empirical evidence, according to the authors, including Michael Friedewald from Fraunhofer ISI and Alexander Roßnagel, Germany's Data Protection Commissioner and a professor at the University of Kassel. The European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is not the primary cause of innovation barriers. Scientific studies showed that regulation did not lead to a general decline in new developments. However, the paper highlights visible challenges, with small businesses and startups particularly struggling with bureaucratic burdens and legal uncertainty. These difficulties need to be addressed with targeted relief measures. The researchers suggest aligning obligations strictly with the actual processing risk and increasing responsibility for standard software manufacturers. Moreover, they argue that in artificial intelligence (AI) and data-driven business models, data maximization should not be the principle. Crucial for business success is data quality, precision, and the exclusivity of training data. Privacy should be seen as a quality attribute \"Made in Europe.\" The authors warn against pitting European fundamental rights against innovation policy. In sensitive areas such as healthcare, financial services, or administration, reliable privacy could become a decisive competitive and trust advantage. To prevent the gap from widening further with the USA and China, the \"Platform Privacy\" recommends promoting data-efficient AI methods, expanding real labs for risk-free testing, and more legal certainty for research. This way, compliance with fundamental rights could become an internationally recognized quality attribute of European digital technology.",
  "summary": "Datenschutz und Innovation schließen sich nicht aus, sagen Forscher. Warum sie gezielte Entlastungen für kleinere Unternehmen fordern.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}