Brussels, 05/12/2003 (Agence Europe) - On Friday the Commission decided to initiate infringement proceedings against nine member states (Belgium, Germany, Greece, France, Luxemburg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Finland and Sweden) for failure to adopt the new rules governing privacy of digital networks and services. The deadline set for the transposition of the directive on privacy and electronic communications (adopted in July 2002) ended on 31 October 2003. Letters of formal notice (the first stage of an infringement procedure) have been sent to the nine countries concerned; they have two months to formulate their observations. The directive in question sets out the Community rules concerning the protection of privacy and personal data in mobile and fixed communications, including the internet; it notably bans spam and defines specific conditions according to which it is possible to use location date generated by mobile phones or to install cookies on personal computers. Commissioner Erkki Liikanen (responsible for telecommunications), underlined that the directive is a 'crucial component' of the new regulatory framework for electronic communications. 'It is urgent that Member States adopt a consistent legislative approach to such issues as unsolicited emails ('spam'), the use of location data or 'cookies'. This will strengthen consumer confidence in e-commerce and electronic services, which is a prerequisite for sustainable growth in the sector,' he stated.