Brussels, 22/02/2000 (Agence Europe) - The hearing in the European Parliament on the protection of personal data was opened on Tuesday by the Chair of the Committee on Citizens' Rights, British Liberal-Democrat Graham Watson, who stated that the goal was to provide a comprehensive view of the different legal and technological aspects of the protection of privacy. It is essential to establish a legal framework that is coherent, binding and applicable, so as to guarantee citizens and companies' rights; the protection of personal data is also essential for the development of electronic commerce. After discussing cultural differences (the sale of personal data is out of the question in Europe), the Chair of the Committee on Legal Affairs and the Internal Market, Ana Palacio (Spanish, EPP), argued for early conclusion of negotiations with the United States. She called for the EU to become "the vanguard of the movement for the protection of privacy" at international level.
Commissioner Fritz Bolkestein said violations of the right to the protection of privacy could become increasingly frequent due to technological developments. He recalled that the 1995 directive guaranteed citizens five rights, adding: "I am well aware of the limits of the directive", before turning to the balance that must be struck to guarantee both the right to protection of privacy and economic activities. He cited the case of Europol and the open nature of the Internet that raises the problem of the territorial scope of the legislation. "In my opinion, there is a need for adoption at international level of binding standards", said Mr Bolkestein, adding that the framework for such legislation was the WTO. He also said he was happy with progress in negotiations with the United States and legislative developments occurring in Canada, New Zealand and Australia. "We must also remain vigilant in the EU", said the Commissioner, recalling that the Commission had to bring before the Court of Justice six Member States that have not yet transposed the 1995 directive.
EUROPE will be back tomorrow with a report on the debate during which MEPs argued for greater protection of privacy. The hearing will continue on Wednesday with a debate in the presence of Mr Campbell on interception methods and the Echelon espionage system. The Conference of Presidents has just decided to include an oral question on Echelon at the next EP plenary session, on 2 March in Brussels.