de Brún pushes MEPs to defend privacy

2 September, 2008

de Brún pushes MEPs to defend privacy

Sinn Féin Six-County MEP Bairbre de Brún has today called for MEPs to stand up for privacy rights of internet users. She made her comments as the European Parliament discussed the E-privacy directive.

de Brún stated: “In today’s globalised and highly connected world personal privacy and data protection should be a priority for us all. Privacy is not something to be compromised on as has happened here. The European Parliament must act to delete the most regressive elements it has introduced into this directive. As it currently stands this directive opens the door for further involvement by businesses and state organs into the private use of communications networks by individuals. The protection of intellectual property rights must not be used as an excuse to allow personal and private data to be accessed by unaccountable bodies.”

The report by British Conservative MEP Malcolm Harbour has alarmed many civil liberties’ groups and will be voted on later this month.

 

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