02/02/2011 (Agence Europe) - ETNO appeals for harmonised rules on data protection. Given the borderless nature of online applications, a homogenous protection of personal data is one of the key prerequisites for EU citizens to embrace innovative services and participate fully in a truly global information society, emphasised ETNO, the European Telecommunication Network Operators' Association. The association made this statement during European Data Protection Day, celebrated last week in Brussels. In the perspective of the ongoing review of the European data protection directive, ETNO points out that private data protection can only be ensured if a completely operational internal market has been set up. The president of ETNO, Luigi Gambardella, emphasised that “ETNO members call on the European Commission to seize the opportunity of the current review of the directive to create a true 'level playing field' for all businesses”, regardless of the geographical location or the economic sector of the service provider. (I.L./transl.fl)