(Dieser Artikel ist auch in deutscher Sprache verfügbar)

In a press conference on 18 September, Peter Hustinx, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) expressed the opinion that terrorism fighting legislation must observe data protection rights.

The EDPS has advised EU bodies on relevant and very controversial data protection issues like the transfer of PNR-data, the telecommunications data retention, and large scale IT-systems such as the Visa and Schengen.

According to Hustinx, privacy and data protection does not hinder the fight against terrorism and crime.

"It is a misconception that protection of privacy and personal data holds back the fight against terrorism and organised crime. Current legislation however does allow for instance law enforcement to check suspicious phone numbers found in a computer. Good data protection actually goes hand in hand with legitimate crime fighting because it increases the quality of data bases and at the same time makes sure that only the right people can access them" said Hustinx.

If adopted, the new legislation on fighting terrorism will provide an unprecedented data exchange. Citizens must have the guarantee that their personal data are used only by authorised entities and only when necessary.

One concern expressed by the EDPS is that a check-up of about 100 existing personal data processing systems has revealed that in most cases institutions do not advise individuals when their data are processed and why.

The EDPS is actually one of the few European institutions that tries to make a correct balance in the present controversial debates regarding security legislation, by advising on adequate safeguards and clear standards of data protection.

EU and the right to privacy: EDPS on mid-term state of play (18.09.2006)
http://www.edps.eu.int/Press/EDPS-2006-9-EN_mid_term.pdf

Terrorism no excuse for privacy breaches, says EU regulator (19.09.2006)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/09/19/terrorism_privacy_breaches/