European Citizens Lash Out Against Brussels' Data Retention Plan

By Netvora Tech News

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The European Commission's plan to introduce a continent-wide data retention policy has been met with fierce criticism from citizens across the European Union. The Commission recently launched an online impact assessment to gauge the effects of such a measure, and the feedback will be used to further develop and refine the plan. The Commission's new security strategy, unveiled recently, includes exploring the impact of data retention rules on a European level. Eleven years ago, the European Court of Justice invalidated the data retention directive, which allowed telecom companies to store user data for months or years. Now, Brussels wants to investigate whether a continent-wide data retention policy can be reintroduced. As part of the ongoing impact assessment, the Commission is seeking feedback from the general public, justice officials, interior ministry employees, digital policymakers, law enforcement agencies, cybersecurity experts, data protection authorities, lawyers, academics, researchers, think tanks, and social organizations. Many of those who have responded to the plan have rejected it in strong terms, expressing concerns over surveillance, proportionality, transparency, and fundamental rights. "This is a dangerous path that will severely harm everyone's privacy," one reaction stated. "We are undermining our own fundamental rights," another commented. Others have argued that there is no evidence that data retention prevents crimes or leads to significantly better investigations. "This initiative is alarming and dangerous, harmful to privacy and could bring us very close to mass surveillance," warned another concerned EU citizen. Earlier, the European Digital Rights organization (EDRi) also warned against a European data retention policy. Feedback on the Commission's plan can be submitted until June 18.