Any thoughts on privacy vs free expression in the light of the ECJ Google ruling?
As Javier says at <https://www.openrightsgroup.org/blog/2014/landmark-ruling-by-european-court-on-google-and-the-right-to-be-forgotten> "It is hard to evaluate the balance of competing rights involved in these cases." Google may have an automated removal tool as soon as the end of the month <http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/05/15/after-european-court-decision-google-works-on-a-link-removal-tool/>. Confusingly a BBC page <http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-27388289> <http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-27423527> has a box about the new EU Data Protection Regulation and Directive. That proposed package does include a "right to be forgotten" or "right to erasure" except "The right to be forgotten includes an explicit provision that ensures it does not encroach on the freedom of expression and information." <http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-14-186_en.htm> Generally nearly everyone (apart from maybe the EPP and some in Facebook) agrees the new DP package, having been amended by the civil liberties committee, will be a good thing (The current compromise text is hard to find linked from http://www.huntonregulationtracker.com/legislativescrutiny/ ). It should be adopted by co-decision with the European Council... when? According to <http://www.computerweekly.com/news/2240219908/Infosec-2014-Act-now-but-no-new-EU-data-protection-law-before-2017-says-ICO>, David Smith of the ICO said "Optimists hope that the European Council will reach agreement on the matter by June 2104". Sic. -- All best wishes, CK -- Please support ORG's work - join and help fund our future: https://www.openrightsgroup.org/join To unsubscribe, send a blank email to [email protected] or use https://lists.openrightsgroup.org/listinfo/org-discuss
