The European Commission is planning to force internet giants such as Google and Facebook to give their users more control over their personal data.

The proposal would force websites to get consent from users to collect their data. They would also have to tell users how they intend on using the information and allow data to be completely erased by the user.

Not doing so would mean websites will face fines of up to €1m.

Championing the proposal is EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding, who said:

"Personal data is the currency of today's digital market.

"And like any currency it needs stability and trust. Only if consumers can trust that their data is well protected, will they continue to entrust businesses and authorities with it, buy online, and accept new services"

At the moment, the European Union member states all have their own personal data laws but with this new proposal, the EU law would apply to all 27 countries within Europe.

Ms Reding has also said that she would like a data protection authority to be created to help enforce the proposal and to investigate any instances where companies did not comply.

Companies would also be encouraged to appoint a data protection official.

Ms Reding continued:

"The Internet has an almost unlimited search and memory capacity. So even tiny scraps of personal information can have a huge impact, even years after they were shared or made public.

"It is therefore important to empower EU citizens, particularly teenagers, to be in control of their own identity online."

Critics have said that certain point in the proposal were impossible to put into practice as some companies could find the legislation too complicated and costly.