(Dieser Artikel ist auch in deutscher Sprache verfügbar)
Peter Hustinx, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) wants privacy and data protection requirements to be considered in the future EU research and technological development (RTD) projects, especially those developing information and communication technologies.
The EDPS' main role is to monitor EU developments which have an impact on the protection of personal data, especially the development of ICT and "to advise the Commission and/or project developers on their efforts to use privacy and data protection-friendly RTD methodologies and of course to develop technologies and processes that will promote and reinforce the effectiveness of the EU data protection legal framework".
On 28 April 2008, EDPS adopted a policy paper establishing his role and developing possible models of contribution both in the preparatory phase of the overall EU research framework programme as well as for individual research projects. The EDPS contributions have as purpose to reinforce the application of the "privacy by design" principle as an inherent part of the RTD initiatives.
"Privacy and data protection requirements need to be highlighted and applied as soon as possible in the life cycle of new technological developments in order to contribute to a better implementation of the data protection legal framework. The European RTD efforts constitute a very good opportunity to accomplish these goals" says Hustinx.
The EDPS' contributions in this direction could be achieved by: - participation in workshops and conferences intended to identify future challenges that can be relevant for EU RTD policy; - contribution to research advisory boards launched by the European Commission in connection with the Framework Programme, and provision of opinions on data protection matters; - assistance to the European Commission in the evaluation process of proposals, in particular regarding possible data protection issues these proposals might trigger; - provision of opinions on data protection matters in relation to individual RTD projects on his own initiative or at the request of a consortium.
Also, as "research projects of an EU Framework Programme usually have the obligation to involve partners from several Member States, the EDPS could also, in this case, contribute to and facilitate the cooperation between the corresponding Member States or third country data protection authorities which might be involved" says the paper.
The EDPS and EU Research and Technological Development -Policy paper
(28.04.2008)
http://edps.europa.eu/EDPSWEB/webdav/site/mySite/shared/Documents/EDPS...
Privacy chief: EU research must consider data protection (30.04.2008)
http://www.euractiv.com/en/science/privacy-chief-eu-research-consider-...
EDPS issues policy paper on his role in EU research and technological
development (28.04.2008)
http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=EDPS/08/4&...