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Deutsch: EESC-Stellungnahme über den Einfluß von Social Networking-Seiten auf...
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) debated in a meeting organized on 17 September 2009 a new approach in regulating social networing websites, with the appointment of an EU Ombudsman to be responsible for the protection of human dignity, privacy and data protection in the audiovisual sector, that should include specific responsibility for social networking websites. The final opinion would be made public in the beginning of November 2009.
But this new approach by the EESC needs to be in line with other EU developments in the field of regulating social networks. In July 2008, the European Commission held an extensive public consultation on "Online Social Networking", the data and conclusions of which form an essential study base for future developments under the Safer Internet Programme (2009-2013) and on 26 September 2008, the European Commissioner Viviane Reding, pointed out the issue during a speech in Luxembourg at the Safer Internet Forum, setting out the main guidelines for the Commission's future action in this field.
The 30th international conference of data protection and privacy authorities on 17 October 2008 resulted in a detailed resolution with recommendations related to the protection of privacy in social networking services. The "Safer Social Networking principles for the EU document" was adopted on 10 February 2009 having at the basis an agreement concluded by the 17 largest operators of the main social networking sites in Europe. By this document the operators recognise their responsibility and identify the potential risks to which young people under the age of 18 using these sites are exposed.
The EESC's preliminary draft opinion, prepared by rapporteur Pegada Liz and issued on 11 August 2009 recognised the positive aspects of social networks, but expressed concerns related to the risks of the illegal and abusive use of social networks drawing a special attention to the risks related "to the use of social networking sites by minors and other vulnerable members of the public, specifically people with poor digital literacy, who frequently fall victim to others who take advantage of them to engage in illegal activities that affront their personal dignity and endanger their physical and mental wellbeing and even their lives."
The documents also suggests the appointment of an European Community Ombudsman similar to the Canadian Privacy Commissioner. The Canadian commissioner already performed an investigation on Facebook following which, the operator agreed to add new privacy safeguards to the website.
EESC draft opinion considers that a single regulator at the level of the Community could have regulatory or co-regulatory powers on social networks, including the power to impose penalties.
Other proposals of the draft opinion include a call on the European Commission to adopt a green paper on Social Network Services (SNS), the development of self-regulation and co-regulation schemes for the SNS industry, especially on the protection of minors. Launching initiatives such as Safer Internet Programme 2009-2013 is also a proposal as well as increasing efforts to raise awareness at the EU and national levels and setting up principles and rules of conduct for SNS sites at the international level.
The draft opinion was discussed within a meeting on 17 September where a short questionnaire was distributed to participants including questions on freedom of speech, censorship, anonymity on SNS sites, sanctions, self- and co-regulation and the creation of a Community ombudsman. The answers will be used as input for the final opinion that will be discussed in November 2009.
Preliminary Draft Opinion of the Section for Transport, Energy,
Infrastructure and the Information Society on The impact of social
networking sites on citizens/consumers (11.08.2009)
https://toad.eesc.europa.eu/BrowseDocuments.aspx?type=1&folder=ces...
Questionnaire for Participants in the EESC Hearing for the own-initiative
opinion TEN/390 on the impact of social networking sites on
citizens/consumers (14.09.2009)
https://toad.eesc.europa.eu/AgendaDocuments.aspx?pmi=zIpQ%2fkWVUpk%3d
EDRI-gram: Social Networks - on the European Commission's Agenda
(8.10.2008)
http://www.edri.org/edrigram/number6.19/social-networking-eu