European Union: Proposed directive on improving working conditions in digital platform work including data protection for workers

On 9 December 2021, the European Commission published its proposal for a directive on improving working conditions in digital platform work, which would include regulations on the use of worker data and algorithms by digital platforms. The proposal would prohibit digital platforms from processing personal data of platform workers which is not directly and necessarily connected to their work. Further, digital platforms would need to inform workers of the use of automated decision-making and monitoring systems, explaining the parameters within which these systems make use of workers' data. The proposal was published as part of a wider set of proposals relating to platform work, including new draft guidelines on the application of EU competition law to the sector.