Rationale for data protection
In the early 1970s, the spread of mainframe computers and telecommunications let governments and large firms build huge , while trade through the EEC pushed information across borders. Existing rules on privacy, tort, secrecy and confidentiality were felt to be inadequate. The core challenge was to strike a balance between personal privacy and the free flow of information needed for trade.
From the early 1970s, rapid progress in electronic data processing and the first mainframe computers let public bodies and big companies set up extensive . Combined with telecommunications, this opened up processing on an international scale.
These advances boosted efficiency but raised fears that privacy would suffer, especially when personal information was transferred across international boundaries. Pre-existing national rules on privacy, tort, secrecy and confidentiality were thought not to be enough for automated storage and cross-border trade.
The challenge was to frame new standards that let individuals control their personal information whilst still allowing the free international flow of information needed for trade - a balance between privacy at national level and free trade at EEC level.