European_Privacy_Association
The European Privacy Association (EPA) is a Brussels-based lobbying group, founded in 2009.[1] Its stated goal is "to enhance data protection and Internet freedom as fundamental principles of democracy."[2] As of 2013[update], Karin Riis-Jørgensen is chairwoman of the EPA.[3] Former EP member Pat Cox is among its founders.[1]
EU lobbying watchdog Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO) has asserted that EPA "is working to represent industry interests in the debate on data protection in Europe" and "to promote industry-friendly legislation" as a front group for the IT industry.[4] It has been called an example of an astroturfing organisation that "disguises as an independent thinktank".[1] EPA's Policy and Scientific Committee director, Paolo Balboni, has denied the astroturfing allegation in a letter to the editor of the Financial Times.[5]
In 2013, CEO filed a complaint against EPA because the association had not listed any corporate sponsors in the EU Transparency Register, claiming that it had only ten natural persons as members; EPA then admitted that Microsoft, Google and Yahoo are among its members.[4][6] According to EPA, the Transparency Register closed the case in June 2013.[7] The organisation changed its status in the Transparency Register from "Think-tank" to the "Trade, business & professional associations", because a think-tank is not allowed to have corporate members.[8]