6
Jun
2007
Free phone service - OLAF
Opinion of 6 June 2007 on a notification for prior checking on a free phone service (Case 2007-74)
OLAF has put this tool at the public's disposal, enabling individuals to provide information that may be useful in the fight against fraud, corruption and other illegal activities affecting the financial interests of the Community. Anyone, EU staff as well as citizens, can use the Free Phone Service to report such types of unlawful behaviour.
After listening to the voice messages and deleting those that are deemed fully improper and pointless, OLAF investigators summarise the remaining messages in a "free phone screening form". This form indicates whether or not the messages are relevant to OLAF's work or to that of other authorities, such as member states or European Commission services. Based on this assessment, OLAF will deem them irrelevant, investigate them further and potentially open an investigation, or send them to other authorities if the case is relevant for them.
The OLAF Free Phone Service is subject to prior checking as it deals with data which may relate to suspected offences, criminal convictions or security measures. In his opinion, the EDPS concluded that OLAF has substantially followed all the principles of the Regulation. Nevertheless some recommendations were made, including:
- ensuring the deletion of voice messages with information deemed irrelevant. This should not be recorded in writing or, if so, should be deleted immediately after confirmation of their irrelevance.
- ensuring the right to information to those who have been named by callers who use the Free Phone Service, subject to the application of the exceptions provided for in the Regulation.
- setting up a voice recording so that, upon calling the Free Phone Service, a short version of the privacy statement is provided or, alternatively, publishing it on OLAF's website.
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