Press Releases

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.

On 14 January 2011, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) issued an opinion on the Commission's Communication on the review of the EU legal framework for data protection ^(*). The Communication is an essential landmark on the way towards a new legal framework that will represent the most important development in the area of EU data protection since the adoption of the EU Data Protection Directive 16 years ago.

On 17 December 2010, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) issued an opinion on the Commission's communication on the EU's Internal Security Strategy which aims at targeting the most urgent security threats facing Europe, such as organised crime, terrorism, cybercrime, the management of EU external borders and civil disasters ^(*).

Today, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) adopted a policy paper that sets out the framework within which he monitors, measures and ensures data protection compliance in the EU administration. The policy signals a fundamental change of gear in the field of enforcement.

The policy seeks to encourage voluntary compliance and best practice and create sufficient incentives for compliance by:

In a speech today at the European Commission conference in Brussels on "Taking on the Data Retention Directive", Peter Hustinx, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS), strongly argued in favour of seizing the opportunity of the ongoing evaluation process to clearly demonstrate the necessity and justification for the Data Retention Directive.

Today, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) issued an opinion on the European Commission's Communication on the EU Counter-Terrorism Policy which outlines the main achievements and future challenges and prepares the way for a broader Internal Security Strategy (*).The Communication is one of a number of documents in which the Commission outlines its future policies in this area. For example, on Monday the Commission issued another Communication on the EU Internal Security Strategy in Action.

Today, Peter Hustinx, European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS), and Giovanni Buttarelli, Assistant Supervisor, spoke to the press about the future of the EU legal framework for data protection and addressed in particular the European Commission's recent communication on a data protection reform strategy. The press conference also provided the opportunity to connect this with the EDPS role and contribution by presenting the main features of his activities in the past year.