European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) - Traineeships (March 2025 session)

ABOUT US

The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) is the European Union’s (EU) independent data protection authority.

Our general mission is to:

• monitor and ensure the protection of personal data and privacy when EU institutions and bodies process the personal information of individuals;
• advise EU institutions and bodies on all matters relating to the processing of personal information. We are consulted by the EU legislator on proposals for legislation and new policy developments that may affect privacy;
• monitor  new technology that may affect the protection of personal information;
• intervene  before the Court of Justice of the EU to provide expert advice on interpreting data protection law;
• cooperate  with national supervisory authorities and other supervisory bodies to improve consistency in protecting personal information.

Read more about Privacy and Data Protection, two fundamental rights in the EU.

The EDPS is an increasingly influential independent supervisory authority, headed by a Supervisor  and Assistant Supervisor and supported by an office (secretariat) of experienced lawyers, IT specialists and administrators.

We aim to serve as an impartial centre of excellence for enforcing and reinforcing EU data protection and privacy standards, both in practice and in law.

Together with the basic requirement of independence, the EDPS’ remit includes:

• developing and communicating an overall vision, thinking in global terms and proposing concrete recommendations and practical solutions;
• providing policy guidance so as to meet new and unforeseen challenges in the area of data protection;
• operating at the highest levels and developing and maintaining effective relationships with a diverse community of stakeholders in other EU institutions, Member States, non EU countries and other national or international organisations.

Data Protection Print

Privacy and Data Protection, though connected, are commonly recognised all over the world as two separate rights. In Europe, they are considered vital components for a sustainable democracy.

Though experts sometimes disagree over the finer points of these two rights, on this page you will find a general description of privacy and data protection, as well as an outline of data protection law; data protection in practice; the independence of supervisory authorities; cross border data protection; and the interaction between privacy, data protection and security.

In other pages under this section, you will find links to key pieces of data protection legislation, our Reference Library, Court Cases and a glossary of data protection terms. 

What is Privacy?

In the EU, human dignity is recognised as an absolute fundamental right.

In this notion of dignity, privacy or the right to a private life, to be autonomous, in control of information about yourself, to be let alone, plays a pivotal role. Privacy is not only an individual right but also a social value.

Historically, in other parts of the world, such as the U.S.A., privacy has often been regarded as an element of liberty, the right to be free from intrusions by the state. This distinction between Europe and other parts of the world is relative since it is also an element of privacy in the EU.