Press Releases

Today, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) adopted his Opinion on the proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA). The Opinion shows that the lack of precision of the Agreement about the measures to be deployed to tackle infringements of intellectual property rights ('IP rights') on the Internet may have unacceptable side effects on fundamental rights of individuals, if they are not implemented properly.

Today, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) adopted his opinion on the Commission's Open Data Package, which includes a series of measures to facilitate a wider and innovative re-use of public sector information (PSI). The opinion highlights the need for specific safeguards for data protection whenever PSI contains personal data. It recommends that public sector bodies take a 'proactive approach' when making personal data available for re-use.

Today, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) adopted his Opinion on the proposed package for a reform of the EU rules on data protection. This package was adopted by the Commission on 25 January 2012 and includes a Regulation with general rules on data protection and a Directive with specific data protection rules for the law enforcement sector.

The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) issued today an opinion on a Commission proposal to merge the driving licence of professional drivers with their driver card. The integration of two totally different functionalities in one single card, which would record a wide range of data about professional drivers including their activities and whereabouts, would have a significant impact on the fundamental right to the protection of personal data.

The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) issued today a Follow-up Report outlining the status of compliance of European institutions and bodies with the Video-Surveillance Guidelines issued by the EDPS in March 2010.

The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) today published a package of four opinions on Commission proposals for the reform of the financial sector in the EU. The four proposals all concern monitoring of financial data, which has a significant impact on the fundamental right to protection of personal data.

Today, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) published the results of his latest general survey of compliance with the Data Protection Regulation. EU institutions and bodies process personal data both in their daily work and in their core business activities. In both cases they have to comply with data protection principles and obligations and respect the rights of the individuals involved. In his latest stock-taking exercise, the EDPS has analysed the performance of all 58 EU institutions and bodies in certain key areas.

The EDPS congratulates the Commission on the publication today of the package for reforming the data protection rules in Europe. The Commission has presented two legislative proposals: a general Regulation on data protection and a specific Directive for the area of police and justice.

The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) today sets out his priorities for 2012 in the area of legislative consultation by publishing his strategic planning document, the Inventory. Here, the EDPS identifies issues of strategic importance that will form the cornerstones of his consultation work for 2012, while not neglecting the importance of other legislative procedures where data protection is concerned.

The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) adopted on Friday an opinion on the Commission's proposal for a new agreement between the EU and the US on the exchange of passengers' data (Passenger Name Record - PNR)*. The agreement obliges airline companies to send to the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) data relating to all passengers flying between the EU and the US.

In his Opinion, issued today, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) provides a series of recommendations to further strengthen the data protection framework for the Internal Market Information System ('IMI'). The EDPS supports a consistent approach to data protection in establishing an electronic system for the exchange of information, including relevant personal data.

Today, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) adopted an opinion on the European Commission Communication on the open internet and net neutrality in Europe ^(*), a subject that has triggered great interest and controversy over recent months. Net neutrality refers to the issue of whether Internet service providers (ISPs) should be allowed to monitor network traffic to filter or restrict Internet access, for example to block specific services or applications (e.g.

The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) adopted an opinion yesterday on the European Commission proposal to revise the EU legislation on tachographs - the device used in road transport to monitor driving times and rest periods of professional drivers - as a means of checking compliance with social legislation in the field*.

On 7 July 2011, in a public lecture on the privacy implications of “online behavioural advertising”, i.e. the presentation of targeted advertisements on websites based on large scale tracking of consumer behaviour online, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) called on the European Commission to ensure that Article 5(3) of the e-Privacy Directive is fully respected.

Today Peter Hustinx, European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS), and Giovanni Buttarelli, Assistant Supervisor, presented their Annual Report of activities for 2010 to the press. This Report covers the sixth full year of activity of the EDPS as a new, independent supervisory body.

Today, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) adopted an opinion on the European Commission's Evaluation Report on the Data Retention Directive ^(*). This much discussed Directive requires all providers of electronic communication services to store traffic and location data of the communications of all citizens, for possible use by the Member States for law enforcement purposes.

On 15 April 2011, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) adopted an opinion on the Commission's proposal aimed at revising the financial rules applicable to the annual budget of the European Union ("EU Financial Regulation"). The proposal covers several matters which involve the processing of personal data by the EU institutions and by entities at Member State level.

On 5 April 2011, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) and the Chairman of the Article 29 Data Protection Working Party^(*) hosted the annual Spring Conference of European Data Protection Commissioners in Brussels, involving data protection authorities from EU and non-EU Member States, as well as various authorities at EU level.

On 25 March 2011, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) adopted an opinion on a new Commission's proposal to oblige airline carriers to provide EU Member States with personal data on passengers (Passenger Name Record - PNR) entering or departing from the EU for the purpose of fighting serious crime and terrorism. Such data may include, for example, home address, mobile phone number, frequent flyer information, email address and credit card information.

On 24 March 2011, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) published a background paper on public access to documents containing personal data, to serve as guidance for EU institutions.