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Deutsch: DRI gegen das irische Gesetz zur Kommunikationsabhörung

Digital Rights Ireland has lodged a formal complaint with the European Commission against Ireland over the Irish law on the interception of communications.

The Irish law, which is governed by the Interception of Postal Packets and Telecommunications Messages (Regulation) Act 1993, applies only to telecommunications providers who operate under a licence or general authorisation. Consequently, the vast majority of internet communication services (such as VOIP providers, webmail and instant messaging services) are not covered, so the interception of communications on those services is unregulated.

This is in breach of Art. 5 of the e-Privacy Directive (Directive 2002/58/EC) which requires member states to "prohibit listening, tapping, storage or other kinds of interception or surveillance of communications and the related traffic data by persons other than users, without the consent of the users concerned, except when legally authorised to do so (by) legislative measures (which are) necessary, appropriate and proportionate within a democratic society".

Complaint to European Commission over Irish Interception Laws (28.05.2009)
http://www.digitalrights.ie/2009/05/28/complaint-to-european-commissio...

(contribution by EDRi-member Digital Rights Ireland DRI)