DATA PROTECTION

Dana S., Global Privacy Summit 2015: Data flows like water, and the tide is rising all around us

Date 03/10/2015.

After the International Association of Privacy Professionals’ (IAPP) Global Privacy Summit wrapped up, author describes four aspects of data privacy highlighted by the speakers: the impact of being watched; capturing personal information; the role of government, citizens, companies, consumers; and the ethical dilemmas of data collection, use and protection in an increasingly small and interconnected […]

EU Parliament worried about wiretapping confidential lawyer-client conversations

Date 03/06/2015.

During a plenary meeting on January 13, 2015, the MEPs at the EU Parliament discussed whether a “structural” surveillance justified by “national security” would excuse tapping conversations between lawyers and their clients. The MEPs debated on how to balance national security needs and the right to confidentiality of communications between lawyers and suspects or accused […]

Australian Parliament pushes for greater security and privacy protection

Date 03/04/2015.

On February 27, 2015, the Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security of the Parliament of Australia released a report containing 39 recommendations for the Government to change several privacy law provisions: Advisory Report on the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Amendment (Data Retention) Bill 2014. Among others, the Report would require internet providers to store personal data for a minimum of […]

Italian DPA deems pre-filled tax declaration scheme compliant with privacy

Date 03/04/2015.

On February 20, 2015 the Italian Data Protection Authority (“DPA”) approved the Tax Authority’s technical requirements that allow tax payers to access their pre-filled tax declaration (the s.c. “730” Form) finding no privacy violations in the scheme. The scheme has been drafted by the Italian Tax Authority (Agenzia delle Entrate) in charge of providing the […]

White House presents Discussion Draft for Bill on Consumer Privacy

Date 03/03/2015.

  On February 27, 2015, the White House presented a Discussion Draft on Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights. The proposed Privacy Bill aims at establishing protections for individual privacy and at implementing it through enforceable codes of conduct. According to the draft, covered entities shall process consumers personal data abiding, among others, to the following […]

FCC rules internet access as public utility – net neutrality is on its way

Date 02/27/2015.

On February 26, 2015, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to regulate broadband Internet access service as a public utility (e.g., water and telephone). Reclassification as a telecommunication service utility will allow for network neutrality. In order to safeguard net neutrality, the FCC’s rules provide for: (i) no blocking: access to content and services shall […]