Earlier this week, the Law and Internet Foundation (LIF) organised an engaging Privacy Workshop within the framework of the iDriving Project, led by Prof. Martin Zahariev, PhD. The session brought together project partners to explore the privacy and data protection implications arising from the integration of next-generation technologies into intelligent and digital roadway infrastructures.
The primary goal of the workshop was to provide hands-on guidance on the lawful, ethical, and responsible handling of personal data throughout the project’s lifecycle. Building upon the privacy and data management materials already developed by LIF, the training delved into essential GDPR compliance principles such as:
- defining roles and responsibilities among data controllers and processors;
- establishing lawful grounds for data collection and processing;
- ensuring transparency and informed consent;
- applying data minimization and purpose limitation; and
- implementing robust security, retention, and anonymization measures.
A special focus was given to emerging data protection challenges in the context of innovative mobility technologies, including the use of sensors, UAVs, and connected vehicle data. The discussion also addressed the intersection between AI systems and data protection, highlighting the need for fairness, human oversight, and ethical governance in automated decision-making processes.
Through practical examples, Prof. Zahariev illustrated how the iDriving consortium can embed privacy-by-design and privacy-by-default principles into all data-driven activities, ensuring that research and innovation remain fully compliant with the EU legal and ethical framework.
The workshop reinforced LIF’s ongoing commitment to strengthening data protection culture and awareness within Horizon Europe projects. It also served as a valuable platform for participants to exchange good practices and clarify key regulatory responsibilities across technical and research teams.
Funded by the European Commission under the Horizon Europe Programme (Grant Agreement No. 101147004), the iDriving Project aims to develop intelligent and digital roadway infrastructure for vehicles integrated with next-generation technologies, contributing to safer, smarter, and more sustainable mobility in Europe.
