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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October 25, 2017 · Blogs | Privacy and data protection | Data protection standards

Tell the European Parliament to stand up for e-Privacy!

On 26 October, the European Parliament (EP) will decide on a key proposal to protect your privacy and security online. This step consists in confirming (or not) the Parliament’s mandate to negotiate the e-Privacy Regulation with the Council of the European Union. This vote has been demanded as part of an effort to either water […]

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September 23, 2015 · Blogs

Safe Harbor: European Court Advocate General says Agreement should be declared invalid

This morning, the Advocate General of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), in his Opinion on the “Safe Harbor” Agreement with the United States, advised the Court to declare the entire Agreement invalid. The catalyst for the case was the mass surveillance practices of the United States. Sixteen years ago, the EU […]

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May 19, 2004

Study: ISPs too eager to take down legal content

In a study about notice and take down procedures, researchers from the Oxford university centre for socio-legal studies were shocked to find how easily internet providers take down perfectly legal content. As mystery-shoppers they opened up 2 websites in July and November 2003, one in the United States and one in the United Kingdom with […]

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June 25, 2004

EDRi supports TACD Resolution on Passenger Name Records

This resolution comes from the TransAtlantic Consumer Dialogue TACD, a coalition of more than 60 consumer organizations in America and Europe. It calls the EU and US governments to suspend a recent agreement disclosing passengers’ data to US government agencies until much stronger privacy safeguards are adopted. The letter will be directly submitted to EU […]

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