Brussels, 24/06/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 23 June, the European Data Supervisor (EDPS) adopted an Opinion on the proposed multi-annual Community programme on protecting children using the Internet and other communication technologies (“Safer Internet” 2009-13, EUROPE 9611). The EDPS fully supports the general orientations of the programme aiming at more efficiently protecting children using the Internet, while adapting to the evolution of new technologies. In this perspective, EDPS stresses that the protection of children's data is an essential first step in guaranteeing more safety and prevention of abuse on the Internet. The EDPS also highlights the decisive role the competent authorities can play in this area and emphasises that any reporting system to be put in place in order to report illegal or harmful content online has to take into account the existing data protection framework. It also explains that filtering or blocking tools to control access to networks should be used cautiously. The EDPS is also encouraging the development of best practices by the industry and stresses that, the surveillance of telecommunication networks, where necessary in specific circumstances, should be the task of law enforcement authorities. (I.L./trans.r.h)