Top News

New Report on Counter-Terrorism and Freedom of the Media 25/11/2008
A new report conducted by Privacy International for the Council of Europe Media and Information Society Division reveals effects of new counter-terrorism laws on media and free expression rights in European countries. The report “Speaking of Terror” examines how the “war on terror” has affected access to information, the growth of incitement, glorification and “extremism” restrictions on speech, blocking of internet sites, increased surveillance of journalists and limits on protection of journalists’ sources.

News and Developments

US Government accused of communications data retention and data mining 12/05/2006
The U.S. National Security Agency is accused of approaching four land-line phone companies in the U.S. and collecting traffic data on millions of telephone communications for the purpose of data mining.

Privacy Commissioners call for restraint on retention of communications data 01/11/2005
In a carefully worded report, the committee of EU privacy commissioners (the Article 29 Working Party) criticises both the Council and the Commission policies on data retention. The Article 29 Working Party call for restraint and safeguards that have to date not appeared in any national or EU policy.

European Council faces defeat on retention 13/10/2005
After years of internal wrangling amongst ministers from EU member states the Council appears prepared to abandon its data retention proposal in favour of the European Commission's proposed directive.

European Commission announces its plans for data retention 21/09/2005
Adding more to the confusion, the European Commission announces its plans for a Directive on communications data retention.

UK Presidency of the EU encounters opposition to retention plans 09/09/2005
At a meeting of justice ministers and industry, the UK Presidency faced mounting criticism of its proposals.

UK Presidency of the EU speech on civil liberties and terrorism 09/09/2005
Transcript of the speech given by the UK Home Secretary to the European Parliament on the need to reconsider human rights conventions.

UK Presidency 'report' proposes exporting UK surveillance policies 07/09/2005
The UK Presidency of the EU releases a report entitled 'Liberty and Security: Striking the Right Balance', with a photo of the London bombers on the front page, to convince the EU to adopt failed and problematic UK policies on CCTV, biometrics, communications and travel surveillance.

UK Presidency of the EU starts immediately on surveillance package 13/07/2005
The UK is starting its presidency of the EU with a number of surveillance proposals including the monitoring of financial transactions and communications, the sharing of data between member states, and the collection of fingerprints.

Data Retention back on EU Agenda 11/07/2005
Following the terrorist bombings in London, the UK and other European Governments are seeking an agreement at an EU emergency summit on the storage of phone and email traffic data.

European Ministers move forward on data retention 03/06/2005
Justice and Home Affairs Ministers met on June 2nd and concluded a new framework on retention of communications data.

EU announces Action Plan on privacy, terrorism and security 10/05/2005
The European Commission has launched today its 5 year Action Plan for Freedom, Justice and Security - with detailed proposals for EU action on terrorism, migration management, visa policies, asylum, privacy and security, the fight against organised crime and criminal justice.

European Parliament rapporteur rejects retention proposal as "disproportionate, invasive and illusory" 04/05/2005
In a strongly worded announcement, building from PI's submissions on retention to the European Commission and the European Parliament, MEP Alexander Alvaro claims that "the current proposal lacks a proper legal base, is disproportionate and ineffective."

Ireland's Parliament 'approves' communications data retention 24/02/2005
In an effort to reconcile its policy laundering tendencies with the lack of a national law on retention, the Government is quietly introducing data retention into its Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) bill. Retention was rushed through with practically no debate.

G8 Agenda announced for UK Presidency 27/01/2005
The 2005 Objectives have been announced by the UK Presidency.

European Privacy Commissioners call data retention unacceptable 15/11/2004
The Article 29 Working Party, a committee of European Privacy Commissioners, today released their 'Opinion' on the EU's proposed traffic data retention regime.

European Commission Begins Consultation on Data Retention 05/08/2004
The Directorate Generals on the Information Society and on Justice and Home Affairs released a joint working document inviting written contributions by September 15, 2004.

Uncertainty in EU, yet continues laundering data retention (external PDF) 01/07/2004
In a recent meeting of the Council Working Party on cooperation in criminal matters, despite clear statements of intent to harmonize data retention in the EU by June 2005, uncertainty remains. In a report from the Working Party, states asked for more guidance on the type of data to be retained, the current retention regimes across Member States, continued concerns with the compatibility with the European Convention on Human Rights, and the Treaty of the European Union. There were also calls for increased participation of industry in 'negotiations'; while some states expressed concern regarding the retention periods. Click here to see the survey questionnaire.

UK Info Commissioner Challenges Legality of Data Retention 30/07/2002
The Information Commissioner has released a legal opinion questioning the legality of the data retention provision of the Terrorism Act 2001. The opinion found that becuase the information can be obtained for other purposes besides national security, it violates the Human Rights Act. (The Guardian, 30 July 2002).

Legal and Policy Developments

European Parliament approves communications data retention 15/12/2005
Today the European Parliament approved the Directive on communications data retention. This calls on EU communications service providers to retain logs of communications and locations for up to two years.