PI and EDRI letter against data retention

London/Amsterdam, 26 September 2005

Privacy International, supported by European Digital Rights, has prepared an urgent letter to the members of the LIBE committee of the European Parliament. On 27 September they will have a renewed vote about data retention.

PI and EDRI urge all parties to reconfirm their initial rejection of the principle of systematic surveillance of all 450 million EU citizens and residents. The fact that meanwhile, the European Commission has launched a proposal for a directive does not free the Commission from the need to prove this measure is absolutely necessary in a democratic society.

In fact, on analysis of the proposal, PI and EDRI find that the Commission proposal is even more invasive and costly than the Council’s proposed Framework Decision.