Stakes are raised in privacy row

The fight to prevent governments gaining access to sensitive communications data is set to reach a climax tomorrow.

Leading European ministers are gathering to discuss a key piece of legislation: the draft directive on data protection and privacy in telecommunications.

A number of EU states, including the UK, want the draft changed so law enforcement agencies can gain access to traffic data.

Currently, legislation states that such data can only be retained for billing purposes and has to be erased or made anonymous as soon as this need is fulfilled.

The move to give the law enforcement agencies far-reaching powers of surveillance is being opposed by the European Commission and the EU's Data Protection Working Party.

The EU Data Protection Working Party has written to the President of the European Parliament, the President of the European Commission and the President of the Council of the European Union.

The letter states: "It is not acceptable that the scope of initial data processing is widened in order to increase the amount of data available for law enforcement objectives. Any such changes in these essential provisions that are directly related to fundamental human rights, would turn the exception into a new rule. Systematic and preventive storage of EU citizens' communications and related traffic data would undermine the fundamental rights to privacy, data protection, freedom of expression, liberty and presumption of innocence. Could the Information Society still claim to be a democratic society under such circumstances?"

Further information can be found at http://www.statewatch.org/news/2001/jun/07retention.htm