Part of a bid to slash red tape for European businesses struggling against US and Chinese rivals, the move is drawing accusations that Brussels is putting competitiveness ahead of citizens’ privacy and protection.

Brussels denies that pressure from the US administration influenced its push to “simplify” the bloc’s digital rules, which have drawn the wrath of President Donald Trump and American tech giants.

But the European Commission says it has heard the concerns of EU firms and wants to make it easier for them to access users’ data for AI development -- a move critics attack as a threat to privacy.

One planned change could unite many Europeans in relief however: the EU wants to get rid of those pesky cookie banners seeking users’ consent for tracking on websites.

According to EU officials and draft documents seen by AFP, which could change before the November 19 announcement, the European Commission will propose: -- a one-year pause in the implementation of parts of its AI law-- overhauling its flagship data protection rules, which privacy defenders say will make it easier for US Big Tech to “suck up Europeans’ personal data”. The bloc’s cornerstone General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) enshrined users’ privacy from 2018 and influenced standards around the world.

The EU says it is only proposing technical changes to streamline the rules, but rights activists and EU lawmakers paint a different picture.

The EU executive proposes to narrow the definition of personal data, and allow companies to process such data to train AI models “for purposes of a legitimate interest”, a draft document shows.

“Unless the European Commission changes course, this would be the biggest rollback of digital fundamental rights in EU history,” 127 groups, including civil society organisations and trade unions, wrote in a letter on Thursday.

Online privacy activist Max Schrems warned the proposals “would be a massive downgrading of Europeans’ privacy” if they stay the same.

An EU official told AFP that Brussels is also expected to propose a one-year delay on implementing many provisions on high-risk AI, for example, models that can pose dangers to safety, health or citizens’ fundamental rights.

Instead of taking effect next year, they would apply from 2027.

This move comes after heavy pressure from European businesses and US Big Tech.

Dozens of Europe’s biggest companies, including France’s Airbus and Germany’s Lufthansa and Mercedes-Benz, called for a pause in July on the AI law which they warn risks stifling innovation.

Commission president Ursula von der Leyen faces a battle ahead as the changes will need the approval of both the EU parliament and member states.