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Hustinx: Data retention is the EU’s most invasive tool
The EU's rules on data retention, forged to combat terrorism, are in trouble in several member states. In an interview with EURACTIV Germany, the bloc's Data Protection Supervisor, Peter Hustinx, debunks European Commission claims and admits there are serious problems with "the most privacy-invasive instrument ever".
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Lawyer: Companies ‘left in limbo’ by new data protection regime
The new data protection regime envisaged by Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding is going to change the legal landscape from the ground up, according to expert Christopher Kuner, but the proposed changes are so technical he questions whether companies will be able to comprehend them.
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Kroes: Cloud can deliver digital growth
European institutions and governments should throw their weight behind joint procurement of computing services to encourage the use of cloud computing, says Digital Agenda Commissioner Neelie Kroes.
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Reding: ‘Companies don’t take protection of personal data seriously enough’
Recent data protection breaches involving Apple and Sony show that "the protection of personal data doesn't work properly," says the EU commissioner in charge of justice and fundamental rights Viviane Reding. In a wide-ranging interview with EURACTIV, she also discusses other issues such as EU communications, media funding, Roma discrimination and gender quotas.
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Google’s street credibility
Google is once again under fire in the EU after several member states demanded more details about its 'Street View' service - a feature of Google's Maps service, which allows users to see live images of a given road and intersection, writes Andreas Geiger of Brussels lobbying firm Alber & Geiger.
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Adopting SOPA is ending privacy on internet
Imposing restrictions on the internet, such as the proposed "Stop Online Piracy Act" (SOPA) in the United States, will only hamper technological developments, writes Bulgarian MEP Ivailo Kalfin (Socialists and Democrats).
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ACTA: The Parliament should say no
The anti-piracy ACTA agreement goes far beyond what is acceptable in the defence of intellectual property, threatening to internet users' privacy and allowing even legitimate websites to be blocked, says Ivaylo Kalfin.
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Mining government data: Whither the European Commission?
As governments move towards the cloud, they need to be wary of the possibility for significant adverse consequences. National security might be compromised, government integrity eroded and even the safety of public officials threatened, writes Paul Rosenzweig.
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EU’s General Data Regulation could be costly for businesses
Contrary to what the EU Commission asserts, if the proposed General Data Protection Regulation is adopted with Article 82 as it stands, it will result in significant extra costs for all European business, says Derek Mooney.
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EU institutions seek exclusion, extra time on data protection
EXCLUSIVE / EU justice ministers meeting in Luxembourg today (6 June) are expected to consider giving EU institutions a sweeping exemption from new data protection rules.
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New data protection rules at risk, EU watchdog warns
New EU data protection rules could collapse because of ‘excessive lobbying’, foot-dragging by MEPs, and entanglement in trade negotiations with the United States, Europe’s chief data protection watchdog warned yesterday (29 May).
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Reding unveils new EU data protection rules
After much internal strife, the European Commission published today (25 January) a broad legislative package aimed at safeguarding personal data across the EU. The proposal, if approved, is expected to strengthen citizens’ rights and could have a far-reaching impact on the way online data are collected and processed.
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Half of EU computer users admit they pirate software
Almost half (48%) of the computer users in the EU admit they have acquired pirated software, according to a new report by the Business Software Alliance (BSA).
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Companies ‘left in limbo’ by new data protection regime
The new data protection regime envisaged by Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding is going to change the legal landscape from the ground up, according to expert Christopher Kuner, but the proposed changes are so technical he questions whether companies will be able to comprehend them.
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IT giants still wary of EU on data protection
New EU data protection rules could threaten growth in the high-tech cloud computing sector in Europe, says a report published yesterday (22 February) by a leading industry group.
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Commission looks to new standards for public sector data
The European Commission launched this month a consultation designed to streamline electronic public-sector information amid uncertainty as to how new data protection rules will affect public administrations as well as the private sector.
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US lobbying waters down EU data protection reform
The reform of EU data protection rules is of particular interest to countries like the United States, whose companies may have to abide by stricter provisions to do business in Europe. But intense lobbying from the United States has in part watered down the draft legislation.
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Reding winks at business on data protection review
The European Commission will propose next year that companies must abide by the data protection rules of their country of establishment within the EU instead of applying different national laws of the states where they operate, as it is the case now.
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Cloud adoption hampered by cow data protection?
The divergent application of data protection laws in the EU, one of which includes the protection of livestock, is one of the many obstacles the European Commission faces as it tries to boost cross-border cloud adoption.
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EU-US data privacy storm blows cloud off course
The EU is currently in talks with the US over its reluctance to allow sensitive data transfers across the Atlantic under the US Patriot Act, one of many obstacles to the wider adoption of cloud computing.
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Internet firms warn about EU’s data privacy proposals
The European Commission's intentions to force Internet social networks to seek consent from users every time they log on to websites will damage e-business and set Europe's digital innovation strategy back, says the largest consortium of on-line industry in Europe.
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EU ministers agree to share passenger data with the US
EU home affairs ministers yesterday (13 December) gave the go-ahead to a controversial agreement between the EU and the US on passenger data records, sparking some criticism in the European Parliament which is now set to consider the deal.
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EU privacy watchdogs urge stricter rules on ‘cookies’
A group of European privacy watchdogs has called for a stricter interpretation of rules on behavioural advertising, condemning the industry's self-regulation code as giving users a “wrong presumption” of how their online browsing habits are being tracked by advertisers using web 'cookies'.
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Commission strife risks delaying data protection overhaul
A dire debate within the European Commission risks delaying once more the publication of a comprehensive package on the review of data protection rules. After significantly working out the original text, the only remaining opponent seems to be EU Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmström.
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Smartphone use changes debate on data protection
Consumer organisations and industry are squaring for battle over how far smartphone users’ personal data can be used under the European Union’s proposed data protection regime.
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Smart Metering IS happening!
In this European Utility Week Engerati interview, ESMIG President Frank Hyldmar discusses where the industry stands in terms of the smart meter and what the future holds.
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Strong data protection rules for high-quality healthcare
Health and medical data need specific attention when legislation on data protection is at stake. Patients’ data contain highly sensitive information and require particularly strict protection and security mechanisms against any unauthorised access, mismanagement, or identity theft, says Katrín Fjeldsted.
