EU Court Curbs Mass Phone Data Grab by Spy Agencies 2e4q6a Technology News

Data privacy is a highly sensitive issue in Europe, where activists have put the legality of big tech operations into jeopardy over similar concerns. 5d2w39

By Agence -Presse | Updated: 6 October 2020 16:43 IST

EU Court Curbs Mass Phone Data Grab by Spy Agencies

The legal onslaught began after revelations by Edward Snowden of mass digital spying by US agencies i7041

Highlights

Lifting of ban will be limited in time to what is strictly necessary
The decision will be closely looked at by privacy activists
Data privacy is a highly sensitive issue in Europe

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The EU's top court on Tuesday put limits on how European spy and security agencies could harvest troves of personal data, but said this could be done under a serious threat to national security.

At the request of the courts in Belgium, Britain, , and the telcos and tech companies to carry out the "indiscriminate retention" of data, a statement said

However, it does allow for exemptions in cases of "serious threat to national security" or the "fight against serious crime", under the supervision of a judge or an independent istrative authority.

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This lifting of the ban would have to be "limited in time to what is strictly necessary," the court added.

The decision will be closely looked at by privacy activists who fear wide loopholes that would allow unfettered data spying by state agencies.

Facebook and other big tech operations into jeopardy over similar concerns.

EU Top Court Gives Thumbs Up to Net Neutrality Rules

The legal onslaught began after revelations by Edward Snowden of mass digital spying by US agencies that also revealed cooperation with Washington by the UK's spy agencies.

The mass harvesting of data is a central part of anti-terror laws ed in several Western countries in the wake of September 11 and other attacks.

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