Comments on: Last chance to fight EU data retention

By: Grave Error » European Data Retention Laws: Not such a “Fine Balance”

Fri, 09 Jun 2006 16:23:53 +0000

[...] There has been much criticism of the Patriot Act by Europeans (as well as by Americans), and most of it rightly so. One problem is that in Europe, similar legislation is being passed both on the local level and at the European Union level as well. These are know as Data Retention Laws or are often hidden inside the Data Protection and Privacy Laws. For a good description of the dangers of these laws, see this post from Digital Rights Ireland. In general, the government, when passing legislation that limits the privacy rights of its citizens, must strike balance between the national security interests and those of its citizens as individuals. Now, I am no expert on US Constitutional Law (and in particular on the First and Fourth Amendments), but using a strictly US legal analysis of these laws, there are serious procedural concerns with regards to the infringement of citizens’ fundamental rights. Here is how I reason through these issues: [...]

By: Digital Rights Ireland » Gardaí Leaking Mobile Phone Records?

Digital Rights Ireland » Gardaí Leaking Mobile Phone Records? — Thu, 25 May 2006 15:13:03 +0000

[...] This story suggests that Gardaí or others having access to confidential mobile phone records are leaking them to the press, confirming our previous warnings that data retention would be abused. The legislation makes it clear that information should be accessed only for the “prevention, detection, investigation or prosecution of crime” – it’s silent on the question of advancing a political agenda by media leaks. We’ve written to the Data Protection Commissioner asking him to investigate this apparent abuse of the legislation. [...]

By: Alan Hillard

Alan Hillard — Wed, 11 Jan 2006 15:52:49 +0000

I regret to say that this is simply another part of the overall march to a state of affairs whereby the citizen has only those rights that the state decrees and not the other way around.

By: Damien Mulley’s Blog » Blog Archive » Meet Your New Stalker - Michael McDowell

Sat, 10 Dec 2005 13:37:39 +0000

[...] Digital Rights Ireland overview of this vote. Technorati Tags: bigbrother data retention digitalrights dri eu europe freedom isp privacy rights [...]

By: Tuppenceworth.ie blog » MEPs Need You To Fill Their Brains With Info

Tuppenceworth.ie blog » MEPs Need You To Fill Their Brains With Info — Fri, 09 Dec 2005 16:22:25 +0000

[...] 7. For FF MEPs – you can stress that it would be absurd to vote for a measure which McDowell has vowed to oppose / challenge in the ECJ. Full details here: Digital Rights Ireland or Euro Data Retention Wiki [...]