The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS), an independent supervisory authority whose primary objective is to ensure that European institutions and bodies respect the right to privacy and data protection when they process personal data and develop new policies, said that the Europen Union's proposal on harmonising electronic communications services will unduly limit internet freedom. The proposal which is part of EU's telecoms market reform plan, promotes traffic management measures that allow the monitoring of users’ internet communications, including emails sent or received, websites visited and files downloaded in order to filter, slow down or restrict access to illegal services or content. Although EDPS supports the inclusion of the principle of net neutrality, it has cautioned that this is devoid of substance because of the almost unlimited right of providers to manage internet traffic.
Peter Hustinx, EDPS, says: "Any monitoring and restriction of the internet activity of users should be done solely to achieve a targeted, specific and legitimate aim. The large-scale monitoring and restriction of users’ internet communications in this proposal is contrary to EU data protection legislation as well as the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. Such interference with the rights to personal data protection, confidentiality of communications and privacy will do little to restore consumer confidence in the electronic communications market in Europe.” Read More 'Privacy and data protection can restore consumer confidence in the Digital Society'
