Data protection / Internet intermediaries / Law enforcement / Privacy / Surveillance / video surveillance

CJEU interprets the concept of ‘in the course of a purely personal or household activity’ and indirectly delineates the remit of the Data Protection Directive

In its judgement of 11 December 2014 (Case C-212/13 František Ryneš v Úřad pro ochranu osobních údajů) the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) had to answer “a very precise” question [to use the words of Advocate General JÄÄSKINEN]: “Can the operation of a camera system installed on a family home for the … Continue reading

Data retention / Internet intermediaries / Surveillance

Home Office consults on proposals to update communications data codes of practice in the UK

Legal framework for mandatory communications data regime continues to evolve The UK Home Office has launched a consultation on plans to update the acquisition and disclosure of communications data code of practice and introduce a new retention of communications data code of practice. Both documents are provided in draft form. The former code sets out … Continue reading

Google / Internet intermediaries / Right to be forgotten

Google settles ‘right to be forgotten’ case with UK business man and comes under pressure from Europe to implement global de-listing

Google probably wishes it could be forgotten as the remit of its legal obligations continues to make headlines The press has been full of news this year about the deluge of requests sent to Google following the Court of the Justice of the European Union (CJEU)’s ruling in May, which confirmed the right of individuals … Continue reading

Access to data / Data retention / Internet intermediaries / Law enforcement / Surveillance

Could the Counter-Terrorism and Security Bill really change things for online service providers?

The Counter-Terrorism and Security Bill (CTSB) was introduced in the House of Commons on 26 November 2014 as a way to “address the capabilities gap the authorities face when it comes to communications data” says Theresa May. In particular, the aim is to “require internet providers to retain Internet Protocol – or IP – address … Continue reading

Internet intermediaries / Security

On malicious webpages, hosting providers… and the myth of technological neutrality!

In an article covering the issue of malicious webpages and what techies call ‘drive-by-downloads’, Huw Fryer, Tim Chown and myself suggest that one solution might lie in the imposition upon hosting providers of precautionary duties involving the systematic scanning of the websites they host on their platforms. [The article will be published soon but is … Continue reading

Data protection / Google / Internet intermediaries / Privacy

Google sent compliance measures over on-going European privacy policy concerns

The European Article 29 Working Party – composed of representatives of EU Member State data protection authorities, the European Data Protection Supervisor and the European Commission – has sent Google a letter setting out a list of compliance measures in respect of the latter’s privacy policy to enable it to meet its obligations under the … Continue reading