Tag: EU
EU Legal Services Report: Data Retention Likely Illegal
Tomorrow morning, Legal Services in the EU will release this long-awaited study. Access has obtained a copy of the document, which concludes that the EU’s powers to legislate on data retention matters are now limited.
Despite compromising hearing, Cecilia Malmström gets green light to become EU Trade commissioner
The E.U.’s current Commissioner for Home Affairs, Cecilia Malmström, was confirmed this morning as Commissioner for Trade during a vote in the International Trade (INTA) Committee of the European Parliament. This vote follows a hearing that took place on Monday September 29th during which Members of the European Parliament (MEP) questioned the Commissioner-designate for three hours.
Blanket data retention: Law enforcement wants it, but they don’t need it
On April 8, 2014, Europe’s highest court, the ECJ, released a long-awaited decision on the controversial Data Retention Directive, confirming what we all knew: the blanket surveillance mandated by the Data Retention Directive is neither necessary nor proportionate.
EU’s growing resistance to include ISDS in trade deals
On Friday, July 25th, the German Government raised concerns over the current chapter on the controversial Investor-State Dispute Settlement (“ISDS”) included in the trade agreement between the EU and Canada – known as CETA – currently being discussed on both sides of the Atlantic. This announcement is indicative of the growing resistance to ISDS in trade agreements taking place in the European Union at the moment.
The European Commission wants your views on ISDS
Earlier this week, European Digital Rights (EDRi), with the help of Access, Bits of Freedom, and Vrijschrift, published a citizens answering guide to the public consultation on the Investor-State Dispute Settlement launched by the European Commission in March and open for comment until July 6.
The impact of forced data localisation on fundamental rights
Forced data localisation is getting more attention in the aftermath of Edward Snowden’s revelations of mass surveillance. We unpack some of the misconceptions about it and explore the impact on fundamental rights and civil liberties.
EU Court repeals law mandating indiscriminate surveillance
Today’s historic decision reopened the debate on the necessity and proportionality of communications data retention in the EU and around the world.
Brazil and the E.U. welcome historic protections for net neutrality, but why is the U.S. stalling?
Access, an international organization committed to extending and defending the rights of internet users worldwide, is encouraged by recent votes that will help secure an open internet. Yesterday, the European Union voted 534-23 in favor of network neutrality, and just last week the Brazilian Congress also voted to protect the internet as part of a larger “internet bill of rights.”
LIBE Series 10 and 11: IT security of the EU Institutions and discussions on mass surveillance
In the 10th and 11th hearings held by the committee for civil liberties (LIBE), Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) focussed on the IT security of the EU Institutions and a possible discussion between the European Commission and the Council of the EU on mass surveillance.
LIBE Series 7, 8 and 9: Violation of law, mass surveillance in the EU and the Freedom Act
In the 7th, 8th and 9th hearings held by the LIBE committee, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) focussed on violation of law, IntCen and mass surveillance in EU member states and the Freedom act respectively.