June 27, 2018 · Blogs | Privacy and data protection | Data protection standards | Online tracking industry / AdTech

NCC publishes a report on tech companies’ use of “dark patterns”

Today, the Norwegian Consumer Council (NNC), a consumers group active on the field of digital rights, has published a report on how default settings and “dark patterns” are used by techs companies such as Facebook, Google and Microsoft to nudge users towards privacy intrusive options.

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May 25, 2016 · Blogs

EU Council & Commission plan to give law enforcement authorities access to data of foreign IT companies

EU Commissioner Věra Jourová revealed plans to increase the competences of criminal law enforcement authorities in a speech at the European Criminal Law Academic Network. She announced that the Council of the European Union is currently drafting Conclusions. This draft document calls for law enforcement agencies to have direct cross-border access to personal data held […]

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April 8, 2014 · Blogs

European Court overturns EU mass surveillance law

The European Court of Justice today ruled that the EU legislation on mass surveillance contravenes European law. The case was brought before the Court by EDRi member Digital Rights Ireland, together with the Austrian Working Group on Data Retention. After eight years, this affront to the fundamental rights of European citizens has finally been declared […]

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September 11, 2013 · Blogs

Kroes launches her attack on net neutrality in Europe – a “death sentence for innovators”

Tomorrow, the European Commission will finally release its long-awaited draft proposal for a Regulation to complete the European single market for electronic communications. After promising the European Parliament strong measures in favour of net neutrality during her nomination hearing in 2010, she is now seeking to ensure its destruction. It is very disappointing that the […]

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June 17, 2015 · Blogs

Our overview of the Digital Single Market Communication

This article was originally published on the website of Friends of Europe EDRi has published its analysis of the European Commission’s Digital Single Market Communication (PDF). The European Commission’s launch of its Digital Single Market Strategy is undoubtedly a positive step, but is plagued with ambiguities, contradictions and an overall lack of leadership on key […]

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June 25, 2015 · Document pools

General Data Protection Regulation: Document pool

In January 2012, the European Commission, following extensive consultations, published a draft Regulation. The initiative had three priorities – modernisation of the legal framework for the protection of personal data, harmonisation of the rules across the EU (proposing a single Regulation rather than a Directive that is implemented via 28 national laws) and maintaining existing […]

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July 13, 2016 · Blogs

Study launch: The EU can achieve data protection-proof trade agreements

Today, on 13 July 2016, the University of Amsterdam’s Institute for Information Law (IViR) released a study on data protection and trade that BEUC, EDRi, CDD and TACD had commissioned. The purpose of the study was to have an independent assessment on the respect of privacy and data protection by trade agreements being negotiated by […]

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July 19, 2016 · Blogs

European Court confirms: Strict safeguards essential for data retention

Today, on 19 July 2016, the Advocate General (AG) Henrik Saugmandsgaard Øe of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) issued an Opinion on a case Tele2 Sverige AB v Post- och telestyrelsen (C-203/15) that deals with data retention obligations that were imposed by law on a Swedish telecom provider. The Court was […]

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September 21, 2017 · Blogs | Information democracy | Data protection standards | Freedom of expression online | Platform regulation | Privacy and confidentiality

Leaked document: Does the EU Commission really plan to tackle illegal content online?

On 14 September, Politico published a leaked draft of the European Commission’s Communication “Tackling Illegal Content Online”. The Communication contains “guidelines” to tackle illegal content, while remaining coy in key areas. It is expected to be officially published on 28 September.

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January 29, 2020 · Blogs | Privacy and data protection | Data protection standards | Surveillance and data retention

Data retention: “National security” is not a blank cheque

On 15 January, Advocate General (AG) Campos Sánchez-Bordona of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) delivered his opinions on four cases regarding data retention regimes in France, Belgium and the UK, in the context of these Members States’ surveillance programmes.

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July 31, 2015 · Blogs

Leaked documents: German news site Netzpolitik.org investigated for treason

If it were up to the Federal Attorney General and the President of the German Domestic Security Agency, two reporters of Netzpolitik.org, a German digital rights blog, would soon be in prison for at least two years. Yesterday, the news blog was officially informed about investigations against the editors Markus Beckedahl and Andre Meister. The […]

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December 1, 2021 · Blogs | Privacy and data protection | Cross border access to data | Surveillance and data retention

EU ropes in intelligence agencies for enhanced border checks targeting Afghan nationals

Intensified border security checks targeting Afghan nationals have been agreed by the Council of the EU, with the procedures requiring the extraction of mobile phone data and significant coordination with national intelligence agencies – despite the EU having no competences in the realm of “national security”.

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