News and Analysis

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Press release

Press release: UK intelligence agency admits unlawfully spying on Privacy International

Thames House, Offices of MI5. Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons MI5 collected Privacy International’s private data and examined it GCHQ, MI5, and MI6 unlawfully collected data relating to UK charity Privacy International Privacy International has written to the UK's Home Secretary demanding action

News & Analysis

The principles of data protection: not new and actually quite familiar

“The gathering and holding of personal information on computers, data banks, and other devices, whether by public authorities or private individuals or bodies, must be regulated by law.” - UN Human Rights Committee, General Comment No. 16, 1988 Underpinning the obligations of those who process

News & Analysis

Shining a Light on Federal Law Enforcement’s Use of Computer Hacking Tools

This piece was originally published on Just Security. Ten years ago, an FBI official impersonated an Associated Press reporter to lure and track a teenager suspected of sending in prank bomb threats to his school. To find him, the FBI agent, posing as a reporter, sent the teenager links to a

Long Read

"Management takes no responsibility for your personal belonging"

Identity, discrimination, and the challenge of ID

Who are you? The Challenges of Identity and Identification “Identity” is a word that covers an incredible range of contested, deeply personal and highly politicised questions. These range from the political and the sociological, through to the psychological and philosophical. A question such as “who

Long Read

Q&A: European Court of Human Rights Rules UK Mass Surveillance Laws Violate Rights (from 2018)

Yesterday, the European Court of Human Rights issued its judgement in Big Brother Watch & Others V. the UK. Below, we answer some of the main questions relating to the case. What's the ruling all about? In a nutshell, one of the world's most important courts, the European Court of Human Rights

News & Analysis

mass surveillance is look state officials rooting through your bins

A one minute read about our major legal victory against UK mass surveillance laws in 2018

Today was a big day for the privacy of millions of people. The European Court of Human Rights has today ruled that UK laws enabling mass interception of our communications violate the rights to privacy and freedom of expression. This finding is an important victory for human rights and the rule of

Long Read

UK mass surveillance violates your rights

UK mass interception law violates human rights - but the fight against mass surveillance continues (from 2018)

The European Court of Human Rights ruled today that the UK government's mass interception program violates the rights to privacy and freedom of expression. The Court held that the program "is incapable of keeping the 'interference' to what is 'necessary in a democratic society'". This finding is an

Press release

Press release: Campaigners win vital battle against UK mass surveillance at European Court of Human Rights (2018)

The European Court of Human Rights has today ruled that UK laws enabling mass surveillance violate the rights to privacy and freedom of expression. Judges found that: The UK’s historical bulk interception regime violated the right to privacy protected by Article 8 of the European Convention on Human

Long Read

Having civil society at the table comes with great benefits: more inclusive, open and richer legislative processes

National and International civil society organisations (CSOs) play vital roles in many aspects of our societies as watchdogs of state powers, as representatives of the voices of the people, as experts to inform and educate an array of stakeholders. One of our key lessons learned from three decades

News & Analysis

Tech executives are testifying in Congress today — monopolies, power, and data

Creative Commons Photo Credit: Source Just about everyone in Washington has found something to dislike about the tech industry: Democrats especially, are worried about foreign interference in the 2016 election — meanwhile some Republicans are more concerned about bias against conservatives of

Long Read

The Sustainable Development Goals, Identity, and Privacy: Does their implementation risk human rights?

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the United Nations-led initiative to define the development agenda. Building on the eight Millennium Development Goals, the SDG’s 17 goals – and the 169 targets – serve as an opportunity to tackle many of the most pressing issues in the world today. The

News & Analysis

New Zealand must respect its international human rights obligations

This post was written by William Marks, a former volunteer at Privacy International. The right to privacy is central to the protection of human dignity, and supports and reinforces other rights, such as the right to freedom of expression and association. Privacy International, supported by the

News & Analysis

Privacy win! US court says Fourth Amendment protects smart meter data

Around the world, from North America to Europe and Asia, governments are starting to roll out smart meters. While the technology promises increased energy efficiency through greater consumer control over energy consumption, smart meters also raise serious privacy concerns. Smart meters collect

News & Analysis

Why data protection authorities are essential: A cautionary tale for Brazil

This month Brazil adopted a new data protection law, joining the ranks of more than 120 countries which have adopted such legislation, providing individuals with rights against the exploitation of their personal data. But after a veto from the Brazilian president, the law lacks an independent

Long Read

An Open Source Guide to Researching Surveillance Transfers

Privacy International’s new report shows how countries with powerful security agencies are training, equipping, and directly financing foreign surveillance agencies. Driven by advances in technology, increased surveillance is both powered by and empowering rising authoritarianism globally, as well

Long Read

From smart cities to safe cities: normalising the police state?

The idea of a “smart city” is primarily a marketing concept, used to sell data-intensive technologies under the pretext of improving the functioning of cities. This could include injecting ‘smart’ tech into delivering services, public safety, environmental monitoring, traffic control, among other