Data Privacy: The European Commission has commenced infringement proceedings against the UK Government in relation to the UK's compliance with the European Union ePrivacy Directive
Publication Date: May 07, 2009
On 14 April 2009, the European Commission (EC) started legal action against the UK via a formal letter to the British Government. This action was taken following complaints by UK Internet users about Internet Service Provider (ISP)-based behavioural targeting company Phorm.
The Commission has accused the Government of breaching its obligations under the EU ePrivacy Directive, after having failed to deliver a regulatory response to the long and controversial dispute surrounding Phorm's secret trials of Internet interception and profiling technology that took place with BT in 2006 and 2007 without BT's customers' consent. In particular, the action highlights problems in relation to how the UK has implemented certain EU regulations concerning confidentiality of communications. The UK Government now has to re-examine its legislation on online privacy.
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