Brussels, 30/03/2009 (Agence Europe) - European Consumer Protection Commissioner Meglena Kuneva, concerned by the possible abuse of personal data found online, intends to launch a debate on consumer protection in the digital world.
Online data gathering and consumer protection will be central to the speech she is to deliver at the round table discussion, “Online Data Collecting, Targeting and Profiling for Commercial Purposes in Online Environments” in the Renaissance Hotel in Brussels on Tuesday 31 March. Addressing an audience of internet professionals, she will encourage research engines and online social networking sites to self-regulate and to cease profiling and targeting, which infringe consumers' privacy. The Commission will not hesitate to legislate otherwise.
Consumers in the digital world will also be the theme of the first European consumers summit to be held by the European Commission in Brussels on Wednesday 1 and Thursday 2 April. Over 250 representatives from companies, consumer associations, national and European institutions and NGOs will be invited to debate the possibilities the digital world offers consumers, and also the problems it poses them. Under discussion will be online access to other markets, privacy issues, geographic restrictions and the rights of cyber-consumers. (A.N./transl.rt)