Technological progress in the last few decades have made monitoring, tracking and profiling techniques easier, cheaper and more accurate. As a result, surveillance has increased in both the public sector (for law enforcement purposes and public security for example) and in the private sector (for targeted advertising for example). These practices can profoundly affect how individuals think and act, as well as other personal rights (such as freedom of expression or association). Any form of surveillance is an intrusion on the fundamental rights to the protection of personal data and to the right to privacy. It must be provided for by law and be necessary and proportionate.
EDPS opinion of 16 July 2013 on the video-surveillance system at the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) (Case 2013-0429)
Editorial by Peter Hustinx in "L'Observateur de Bruxelles", nr. 93, July 2013, p. 5-6
Opinion of 20 June 2013 on a notification for Prior Checking received from the Data Protection Officer of the European Investment Bank regarding the recording of switchboard and security room phone conversations (Case 2013-0297)
Opinion on the Communication from the Commission on 'eHealth Action Plan 2012-2020 - Innovative healthcare for the 21st century'