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16
Oct
2012

Commission v. Austria: Court of Justice says Austrian data protection authority is not independent

Today, the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that the Austrian Data Protection Authority, the Datenschutzkommisson (DSK), does not fulfil the requirements of independence as outlined in the European Data Protection Directive.

Available languages: German, English, French
20
Jun
2012

EDPS Annual Report 2011: a consistent and effective approach to privacy and data protection is needed

Today Peter Hustinx, European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) and Giovanni Buttarelli, Assistant Supervisor, presented their Annual Report of activities for 2011 to the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) of the European Parliament. This Report covers the seventh full year of activity of the EDPS as an independent supervisory body.

Available languages: German, English, French
11
Jun
2012

Smart meters: consumer profiling will track much more than energy consumption if not properly safeguarded, says the EDPS

On Friday 8 June 2012, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) adopted his opinion on the Commission Recommendation on preparations for the roll-out of smart metering systems, which gives guidance to Member States to prepare for the roll-out of these systems.

Available languages: German, English, French
24
Apr
2012

ACTA measures to enforce IP rights in the digital environment could threaten privacy and data protection if not properly implemented

Today, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) adopted his Opinion on the proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA). The Opinion shows that the lack of precision of the Agreement about the measures to be deployed to tackle infringements of intellectual property rights ('IP rights') on the Internet may have unacceptable side effects on fundamental rights of individuals, if they are not implemented properly.

Available languages: German, English, French
18
Apr
2012

EDPS calls for data protection safeguards before public sector information containing personal data can be re-used

Today, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) adopted his opinion on the Commission's Open Data Package, which includes a series of measures to facilitate a wider and innovative re-use of public sector information (PSI). The opinion highlights the need for specific safeguards for data protection whenever PSI contains personal data. It recommends that public sector bodies take a 'proactive approach' when making personal data available for re-use.

Available languages: German, English, French
7
Mar
2012

EDPS applauds strengthening of the right to data protection in Europe, but still regrets the lack of comprehensiveness

Today, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) adopted his Opinion on the proposed package for a reform of the EU rules on data protection. This package was adopted by the Commission on 25 January 2012 and includes a Regulation with general rules on data protection and a Directive with specific data protection rules for the law enforcement sector.

Available languages: German, English, French
17
Feb
2012

Merging professional drivers' driving licence with their driver card is not fully in line with data protection principles

The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) issued today an opinion on a Commission proposal to merge the driving licence of professional drivers with their driver card. The integration of two totally different functionalities in one single card, which would record a wide range of data about professional drivers including their activities and whereabouts, would have a significant impact on the fundamental right to the protection of personal data.

Available languages: German, English, French
13
Feb
2012

EDPS outlines lack of compliance of several EU institutions and bodies with Video-Surveillance Guidelines

The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) issued today a Follow-up Report outlining the status of compliance of European institutions and bodies with the Video-Surveillance Guidelines issued by the EDPS in March 2010.

Available languages: German, English, French
10
Feb
2012

Review of EU financial markets legislation has a significant impact on data protection

The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) today published a package of four opinions on Commission proposals for the reform of the financial sector in the EU. The four proposals all concern monitoring of financial data, which has a significant impact on the fundamental right to protection of personal data.

Available languages: German, English, French
30
Jan
2012

EDPS general survey shows that EU institutions and bodies have different levels of data protection compliance

Today, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) published the results of his latest general survey of compliance with the Data Protection Regulation. EU institutions and bodies process personal data both in their daily work and in their core business activities. In both cases they have to comply with data protection principles and obligations and respect the rights of the individuals involved. In his latest stock-taking exercise, the EDPS has analysed the performance of all 58 EU institutions and bodies in certain key areas.

Available languages: German, English, French
25
Jan
2012

EDPS welcomes a "huge step forward for data protection in Europe", but regrets inadequate rules for the police and justice area

The EDPS congratulates the Commission on the publication today of the package for reforming the data protection rules in Europe. The Commission has presented two legislative proposals: a general Regulation on data protection and a specific Directive for the area of police and justice.

Available languages: German, English, French
10
Jan
2012

EDPS Inventory 2012 of legislative consultations: a challenging year ahead for data protection in the EU

The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) today sets out his priorities for 2012 in the area of legislative consultation by publishing his strategic planning document, the Inventory. Here, the EDPS identifies issues of strategic importance that will form the cornerstones of his consultation work for 2012, while not neglecting the importance of other legislative procedures where data protection is concerned.

Available languages: German, English, French
13
Dec
2011

EDPS issues an opinion on the new EU-US Passenger Name Record agreement

The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) adopted on Friday an opinion on the Commission's proposal for a new agreement between the EU and the US on the exchange of passengers' data (Passenger Name Record - PNR)*. The agreement obliges airline companies to send to the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) data relating to all passengers flying between the EU and the US.

Available languages: German, English, French
22
Nov
2011

EDPS calls for strengthening of proposed Regulation on the Internal Market Information System

In his Opinion, issued today, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) provides a series of recommendations to further strengthen the data protection framework for the Internal Market Information System ('IMI'). The EDPS supports a consistent approach to data protection in establishing an electronic system for the exchange of information, including relevant personal data.

Available languages: German, English, French
7
Oct
2011

"A serious policy debate on net neutrality must effectively address users' confidentiality of communication", says EDPS

Today, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) adopted an opinion on the European Commission Communication on the open internet and net neutrality in Europe (*), a subject that has triggered great interest and controversy over recent months. Net neutrality refers to the issue of whether Internet service providers (ISPs) should be allowed to monitor network traffic to filter or restrict Internet access, for example to block specific services or applications (e.g.

Available languages: German, English, French
6
Oct
2011

Recording equipment in road transport: EDPS calls for additional safeguards to better protect the privacy of professional drivers

The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) adopted an opinion yesterday on the European Commission proposal to revise the EU legislation on tachographs - the device used in road transport to monitor driving times and rest periods of professional drivers - as a means of checking compliance with social legislation in the field*.

Available languages: German, English, French
11
Jul
2011

EDPS calls on the European Commission to ensure that safeguards for online behavioural advertising are respected

On 7 July 2011, in a public lecture on the privacy implications of “online behavioural advertising”, i.e. the presentation of targeted advertisements on websites based on large scale tracking of consumer behaviour online, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) called on the European Commission to ensure that Article 5(3) of the e-Privacy Directive is fully respected.

Available languages: German, English, French
15
Jun
2011

EDPS Annual Report 2010: an increased effort is required to ensure effective data protection in practice

Today Peter Hustinx, European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS), and Giovanni Buttarelli, Assistant Supervisor, presented their Annual Report of activities for 2010 to the press. This Report covers the sixth full year of activity of the EDPS as a new, independent supervisory body.

Available languages: German, English, French
31
May
2011

Evaluation shows that the Data Retention Directive does not meet privacy and data protection requirements, says EDPS

Today, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) adopted an opinion on the European Commission's Evaluation Report on the Data Retention Directive (*). This much discussed Directive requires all providers of electronic communication services to store traffic and location data of the communications of all citizens, for possible use by the Member States for law enforcement purposes.

Available languages: German, English, French