Monday, September 13, 2004

Privacy International's Response to European Commission's consultation on telecommunications traffic data retention

On 30 July 2004, the European Commission's Directorate Generals on the Information Society and on Justice and Home Affairs issued a consultation document inquiring about the desirability of establishing a uniform pan-European retention regime for all internet and telecommunications traffic data for a period of 12-36 months. The deadline for submissions is 15 September 2004.

Privacy International (PI) and European Digital Rights (EDRI) have just released their submission on the topic, entitled "Invasive, Illusory, Illegal, and Illegitimate" (three guesses what their position is!). The PI/EDRI submission is an interesting summary of the kinds of data that can be collected and the privacy impact of indiscriminate retention of this data.

The Canadian Department of Justice began a consultation on "Lawful Access" in August 2002 which proposed, among other things, the capability for law enforcement to issue "Data Preservation Orders", perhaps without a warrant or other judicial authorization.

Those interested in a free-wheeling debate on the topic can check out the discussion on the European consultation at Slashdot.

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