The MEPs voted in favour of a 'right to erasure' right which would allow individuals to insist that their personal data is deleted from the contents of the sites hosted by internet service providers. The providers would be required to ensure that the data was also removed from all the sites they hosted.

Higher costs for businesses

The proposals, coming through in reforms to EU data protection regulations, would present obstacles for existing players in the UK, Bridget Treacy of the privacy and cyber security team at Hunton & Williams, told IT News. She said: 'The biggest issue for businesses will be implementing the changes required by the regulation.  The requirements seek to address the challenges of changing technology, and to harmonise data protection across the EU – no mean feat. Businesses in the UK are more likely to be affected by the regulation; they will have to implement tougher measures than currently enforced, with significant cost implications.'