June 30 (Cointime) - The European Commission's proposed regulations for a future central bank digital currency (CBDC) claim to prioritize privacy, but the required record-keeping provisions for payment service providers suggest otherwise. These provisions require providers to record data on transactions, which is not required for cash transactions. However, CBDCs could bring economic value if done right, and initiatives like Project Hamilton are developing privacy-preserving templates for digital currencies. It is important to acknowledge that governments systematically demand information from the people they govern and work towards a compromise that protects privacy. A middle-ground solution for CBDCs could erect cryptographic and legal barriers to protect privacy.