Germany’s largest telecommunications operator for the first time on 5 May 2014 published a ‘transparency report’ on surveillance requests by German authorities. Kirsten Gollatz reveals how this new statitical input fits into the larger picture.
Filtered results
The European Union’s Court of Justice has ruled against Google in a case in which a Spanish citizen, backed by his national data protection authority, wanted the company to remove search links to an old local newspaper story related to his bankruptcy. Jef Ausloos argues that implications should not be too extreme, but warns of the Court’s
Does Europe hate libraries?
It was a fail. At the 27th WIPO meeting in Geneva the European Commission and Council representatives did not agree on advancing work on copyright exemptions for libraries and archives.
Data retention: the directive is out. Are national laws next?
On April 8, the European Court of Justice made a clear decision invalidating the EU data retention directive. Legal scholar Sebastian Leuschner hits the floor running with an op-ed on what this landmark decision means for national data retention laws.
European Court of Justice calls data retention directive off
The European Court of Justice today decided against the EU legislator and declared the data retention directive of 2006 null and void. A historic judgement, many parties say, and it means that implementations have to be rolled back all over Europe.
The day after the ‘net neutrality vote’
On Thursday April 3, the European Parliament voted in favour of a legislative package to protect network neutrality and abolish mobile roaming fees within the European Union. The decision may set off a serious struggle between EU Council and Parliament.
European Parliament decides for single data protection standard
The European Parliament has voted for a single data protection standard in the Union and passed both a regulation and a directive today. The Parliament wants to push the package (containing these two instruments), but has now to wait for member states to come to grips over their position.
President signs Turkish draconian internet law
Turkish business leaders, internet researchers and the Council of Europe were quick to reply when Turkish President Abdullah Gül went on to sign a package of draconian internet laws on February 18. The new legislation matters, not only for Turkey.
European ministers largely agree on international aspects of future data protection regulation, other issues unsolved
On January 23, EU Justice and Home Affairs Ministers met informally to harmonise their positions on the future European Data Protection Regulation. Broad consensus was reached on international aspects. Yet, the group missed a chance to move the package into the fast lane.
EU and US discuss divergent recommendations on mass surveillance
It is difficult to argue against measures that could prevent a 9/11-like attack in the US. However, many in the EU remain concerned about privacy and fundamental rights in general after the Snowden revelations. Conclusions from politicians on both sides illustrate the divergence.