New Data rules must not harm businesses, the economy or public safety
Posted, January 25, 2012 @ 14:00
A senior Conservative MEP today urged caution over EU plans to introduce a new raft of rules on data protection.
Timothy Kirkhope said that while the proposals were an important attempt to advance the single market and to offer important reassurances over data security, they were potentially so sweeping they could damage business and even allow wrongdoers to hide their past and escape the consequences.
Companies and other organisations would be obliged to issue an alert about any data breaches within 24 hours and the proposals would also create a Europe-wide network of data protection supervisors and officers. They would also introduce a controversial "right to be forgotten", allowing people in a variety of different circumstances to demand that data about them be deleted.
Mr Kirkhope, The European Conservatives and Reformists Group's co-ordinator on justice and home affairs, welcomed better data-protection for citizens but said: "The proposal miss the mark in terms of common sense"
The former UK Home Office minister went on: "Of course we encourage best practice in the processing, storage and handling of data, especially in the area of law enforcement exchange. However, we mustn't create rules that are draconian and burdensome to businesses.
"The information that new technologies hold is important for the economy, for the improvement of the services businesses provide, and for the prevention and detection of crime.
"A significant proportion of the public voluntarily hand over large amounts of detail regarding their life to social networking sites, "Twitter", and blogs. I accept we must protect their data and make their rights fully available, yet it seems this proposal is determined to place the entire burden of responsibility for people's internet profiles upon law enforcement agencies, businesses and other organisations. Instead there should be an element of personal responsibility, and personal choice when using your data.
"The idea that businesses would have to notify thousands if not millions of internet users for the most minor of technical breaches, as well as be responsible for changes, deletions, and requests on demand, would cause unnecessary burden for businesses in these challenging times. It would also cause needless worry for those people who use the internet.
"So many people walk into shops, supermarkets, petrol station, and recruitment offices, and hand over the same information without a second thought, and without the same assumed rights.
"We must balance carefully the need to protect the privacy and rights of individuals, both on and off the internet, especially the most vulnerable amongst us. However, it should be done in a practical, achievable and fair way, not only for internet users but to businesses as well."