Several MEPs from the Renew Europe, EPP, and Greens/EFA groups in the European Parliament questioned the European Commission about security and personal data protection with regard to the tools in the future ‘modernisation of justice’ package (see EUROPE 12844/12). They expressed their concerns during a meeting of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) on Thursday, 12 May.
The ‘modernisation of justice’ package aims to establish a communication tool between Member States’ judicial authorities in civil and commercial matters and the parties to the proceedings. It is also expected to enable video-conferencing to be used for hearings in cross-border civil, commercial, and criminal cases.
Most political groups are worried about the security of the proposed tool. MEPs want to ensure that data exchanged in the context of legal proceedings has the highest level of protection.
For them, it is also a question of respecting the private data of the parties to the proceedings. “We mustn’t forget the need for the appropriate guarantees—for rights and freedoms and for data protection”, indicated Emil Radev (EPP, Bulgaria).
The European Commission tried to provide some answers. In its view, the communication channel that will be used is secure and encrypted. That said, the level of security and resistance to attack depends on Member States’ organisation.
Furthermore, MEP Fabienne Keller (Renew Europe, France) indicated that remote hearings should not become the norm. Her colleague Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield (Greens/EFA, France) was concerned that the regulation and forthcoming directive would worsen the divide that exists between those who have access to digital tools and those who do not. The European Commission assured MEPs that use of videoconferencing would remain optional and would not be obligatory. Regarding access to digital tools, the proposal offers the option of using digital means of communication, but it must guarantee uninterrupted access to the current means of communication as well, according to the European Commission. (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)