The concept of availability The concept of availability in the information societyin the information society

Peter A. MichaelPeter A. Michael

Data Protection SecretaryData Protection Secretary

Council of the European UnionCouncil of the European Union

Data Protection Tendencies in InfoData Protection Tendencies in Information Society, Vilnius 13-14 Normation Society, Vilnius 13-14 November 2007vember 2007

The concept of availability in the The concept of availability in the information societyinformation society

Information societyInformation society

AvailabilityAvailability

ConsequencesConsequences

Horizon or present?Horizon or present?

Data Protection Tendencies in InfoData Protection Tendencies in Information Society, Vilnius 13-14 Normation Society, Vilnius 13-14 November 2007vember 2007

Information SocietyInformation Society

A society and an economy that makes A society and an economy that makes the best possible use of new information the best possible use of new information and communication technologies. and communication technologies.

Telecommunications and internet, video Telecommunications and internet, video surveillance, biometricssurveillance, biometrics

Data Protection Tendencies in InfoData Protection Tendencies in Information Society, Vilnius 13-14 Normation Society, Vilnius 13-14 November 2007vember 2007

Information SocietyInformation Society

Benefits:Benefits: it helps us in all it helps us in all aspects of our life: at aspects of our life: at work, at home, wherever work, at home, wherever we are and whatever we we are and whatever we do.do.

Consequences:Consequences:

- - areare we still free to choose?we still free to choose?

- digital footsteps everywhere- digital footsteps everywhere

Data Protection Tendencies in InfoData Protection Tendencies in Information Society, Vilnius 13-14 Normation Society, Vilnius 13-14 November 2007vember 2007

AvailabilityAvailability

Any action of harmonising the processing of personal data, either by introducing obligations to retain personal data or by introducing an obligation to set up specific data files, and the introduction of an intention or obligation to make these personal data available for law enforcement authorities or for European or international institutions involved with law enforcement, should be seen as implementation of the concept of availability.

Data Protection Tendencies in InfoData Protection Tendencies in Information Society, Vilnius 13-14 Normation Society, Vilnius 13-14 November 2007vember 2007

AvailabilityAvailability

ExamplesExamples……

RRetention traffic dataetention traffic data PNR PNR Video surveillance tapesVideo surveillance tapes Financial information Financial information

Data Protection Tendencies in InfoData Protection Tendencies in Information Society, Vilnius 13-14 Normation Society, Vilnius 13-14 November 2007vember 2007

ConsequencesConsequences

information on demandinformation on demand

function creepfunction creep

isolation through risk assessmentisolation through risk assessment

no escapeno escape

Data Protection Tendencies in InfoData Protection Tendencies in Information Society, Vilnius 13-14 Normation Society, Vilnius 13-14 November 2007vember 2007

Horizon or present?Horizon or present?

* information + availability = * information + availability = controlcontrol

* surveillance + information + availability = * surveillance + information + availability = total total controlcontrol

From an From an IInformation Societynformation Society to a to a Surveillance SocietySurveillance Society

Thank You!Thank You!