Directive (EU) 2019/520 allows road haulage[1] companies to benefit from the services of European Electronic Toll Service providers (service providers allowing a road user to pay tolls in at least four EU Member States with only one on-board device and one contract). However, some EETS providers use on-board equipment (OBE) not only for tolls but also for non-essential value-added services. These include geolocation systems for the permanent control of professional drivers in real time. However, Directive (EU) 2019/520 makes reference to data protection in relation to the on-board equipment and obligations of EETS service providers.

1. To what extent is this practice of permanent real-time monitoring of professional drivers compatible with the basic principles of ‘privacy by design’ or ‘by default’; and those of data minimisation and purpose limitation under the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679?
2. Does the Commission intend to take action against such practices and must infrastructure operators accept on-board equipment that clearly violates human dignity?
3. Would the Commission approve of such a practice if its Members had to work as professional drivers?