Overview -- Growing interactivity means growth of personal information 09/08/2004
The growth of the Internet and electronic commerce has dramatically increased the amount of personal information that is collected about individuals. As consumers engage in routine online transactions, they leave behind a trail of personal details, often without any idea that they are doing so. Much of this information is routinely captured in computer logs.

Top News

European Parliament calls on search engine companies to spy on all EU citizens 24/06/2010
PI to mount campaign to defeat draconian, ill-informed, unlawful and deeply intrusive imposition to require internet search companies to retain search requests of all European citizens.

UK Police begin investigation into Google Wi-Fi grab 22/06/2010
Crime reference number 2318672/10 was today issued by London's Metropolitan Police, marking the commencement of investigations into Google for alleged criminal interception of Wireless content. Privacy International, which brought the complaint, has been briefed by police on the likely path the investigation will take.

PI launches new technology site 16/06/2010
Privacy International today launched "Cracking the Black Box"boxcrack.net, a site devoted to discovering the answers to key technical mysteries behind some of the world's most controversial IT systems. The site encourages experts and whistleblowers to help resolve crucial questions about how technology is designed and deployed. The first two issues being addressed are the Google Wi-Fi controversy and the EU proposal to retain search data.

Plan to retain all EU search data is unlawful and absurd 04/06/2010
Privacy International is deeply concerned about Written Declaration 29, which positions the setting up of a European Early Warning Service for paedophiles and sex offenders by requiring retention and analysis of web searches throughout the EU. The initiative is unlawful and the consequences will cause grave harm to genuine efforts to protect children.

Background Information

About Online Advertising 19/03/2008
Online advertising may very well shape the future of the internet. Advertisers spend billions online because online ads can be targeted to match your interests far more accurately than with TV or a billboard. PI is offering this online library resource to connect concerned consumers with the key information from online advertising companies, as well as to provide some limited means of controlling how their personal information is processed.

The process leading to the CoE Convention 22/07/2001
The process to establishing the Convention on Cybercrime consisted of obfuscation and confusion. Negotiated behind closed doors and agreed through little deliberation, many groups worked to oppose the convention.

Key PI Resources

Leading surveillance societies in the EU and the World 2007 28/12/2007

Privacy International's rankings of privacy protection around the world.

News and Developments

RC: Secret leaked document reveals what Google "really" thinks about privacy (PDF) 29/01/2010
PI has come into possession of a leaked early draft of its newly published privacy guidelines, revealing the startling news that the company has a hidden agenda to dominate the known universe. Privacy International director Simon Davies responded: "I am mortified to the core. I always thought Google would be the world leaders in privacy but instead they are clearly the Borg".

An Open Letter to Google 10/06/2007
A letter responding to Google's media tactics against Privacy International.

Google accused of conducting smear campaign against Privacy International 09/06/2007
As Privacy International prepares to publish the first privacy ranking of major Internet companies, Google has embarked on a smear campaign within the media to discredit both PI and the report.

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.

Research on Interception of Communications released (external) 28/02/2005
A report released by the Hong Kond Legislative Council Secretariat reviews the differences in interception regimes in the UK, the U.S., and Australia.

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.

Legal and Policy Developments

US FCC Moving Towards Intercepting Internet and Voice Over IP 05/08/2004
After a request filed by the Department of Justice, FBI, and Druge Enforcement Administration in March 2004, the Federal Communications Commission announces that it intends to apply interception law to broadband internet access services and Voice Over IP.

COE Internet and the law Report (external) 06/02/2004
Parliamentary Assembly - Internet and the law. Doc. 10064 6 February 2004 Report Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights Rapporteur: Mr Christos Pourgourides, Cyprus, Group of the European People's Party

COE Cyber-crime Treaty Opens for Signature 22/11/2001
The controversial convention is opened for signatures at a ceremony in Budapest.

European Parliament Committee Votes on Spam and Data Retention 11/06/2001
The European Parliament's Citizens' Rights and Freedoms, Justice and Home Affairs Committee voted 22-12 with 5 abstentions on June 11 on changes to the directive on telecommunications privacy to allow for spam and to limit ISPs retaining data for law enforcement purposes.