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UK privacy of communications laws 'need revision'

15 April 2009



Laws in the UK to protect the privacy of communications are insufficient, the European Commission has ruled, with some websites collating details of users' habits and preferences without their knowledge. Referred to as Phorm technology, it involves the tracking of the use of certain websites, with targeted advertising displayed to the user as a result.

"We have been following the Phorm case for some time and have concluded that there are problems in the way the UK has implemented parts of EU rules on the confidentiality of communications," revealed EU Telecoms Commissioner Viviane Reding. She added that the UK's laws need to be amended to allow proper sanctions to be made against such behaviour.

At present, UK law stipulates that it is an offence to intercept communications intentionally. Nonetheless, it is the instances of when access to such communications is given which the Commission believes should be subject to review.

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