Apr 15, 2008

Amendments to e-Privacy directive backed


The European Commission's proposed amendments to the e-Privacy directive, which clarify the position of RFID technology, have won support from the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS).

The proposed e-Privacy directive, which was adopted by the EC in November, aims to improve the protection of individuals' privacy and personal data in the electronic communications sector.


The EC's proposed amendments specify that "public electronic communication networks" include those supporting data collection and identifying devices, therefore clarifying that a number of RFID applications fall into the scope of the directive.

The amendments also state that applications that involve the collection of personal data must be subject to the e-Privacy Directive.


In it submission, EDPS said: "The proposed amendments strengthen the protection of individuals' privacy and personal data in the electronic communications sector and this is done with a light touch, without creating unjustified and unnecessary burdens upon organisations."


However, EDPS has called for further improvements to be made to the directive. It wants rules relating to security breach notification to be expanded to cover to providers of information services, such as banks, insurers and health services, that process personal data.


It also wants the directive to broaden its scope to cover private and mixed networks.

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