COVID-19 Research: Navigating the European General Data Protection Regulation

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ID: 111819
2020
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Abstract
Researchers must collaborate globally to rapidly respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. In Europe, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) regulates the processing of personal data, including health data of value to researchers. Even during a pandemic, research still requires a legal basis for the processing of sensitive data, additional justification for its processing, and a basis for any transfer of data outside Europe. The GDPR does provide legal grounds and derogations that can support research addressing a pandemic, if the data processing activities are proportionate to the aim pursued and accompanied by suitable safeguards. During a pandemic, a public interest basis may be more promising for research than a consent basis, given the high standards set out in the GDPR. However, the GDPR leaves many aspects of the public interest basis to be determined by individual Member States, which have not fully or uniformly made use of all options. The consequence is an inconsistent legal patchwork that displays insufficient clarity and impedes joint approaches. The COVID-19 experience provides lessons for national legislatures. Responsiveness to pandemics requires clear and harmonized laws that consider the related practical challenges and support collaborative global research in the public interest. [J Med Internet Res 2020;22(8):e19799]
Reference Key
beauvais2020journalcovid-19 Use this key to autocite in the manuscript while using SciMatic Manuscript Manager or Thesis Manager
Authors Michael J.S. Beauvais;
Journal Journal of medical Internet research
Year 2020
DOI doi:10.2196/19799
URL
https://www.jmir.org/2020/8/e19799
Keywords
medical Internet research medicine journal ehealth JMIR open access publishing medical research medical informaticscovid-19;gdpr;health research;pandemic;data privacy;data protection;regulation

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