Volume VI

Issue : 5: March 6, 2008

• Americas First "Spammer" Conviction Upheld
• U.S. Judge Reverses Prior Decision to Shut Down Wikileaks.org Website
• UK ISPs Could Face File Sharing Sanctions
• Blackboard Wins Patent Case in Battle With Desire2Learn
• EU Regulators Deem Data Protection Directive Applicable to Search Engines

Home > Volume VI > Issue 5: March 6, 2008 > EU Regulators Deem Data Protection Directive Applicable to Search Engines

EU Regulators Deem Data Protection Directive Applicable to Search Engines

European Union data privacy regulators have stated in a Press Release that Internet search engines must comply with the EU Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC if they collect information on users’ IP addresses or search history. The Press Release also states that the Directive may apply to search engines that are headquartered outside the EU, but that have only an establishment in one of the EU Member States, or who use automated equipment based in one of the Member States for the purposes of processing personal data. Under the Directive, individuals must consent to the collection of their personal data and individuals have the right to object to or verify their information.

The data privacy regulators are expected to release a working paper on search engines in April.

For a copy of the Press Release, visit:

http://ec.europa.eu/justice_home/fsj/privacy/news/docs/pr_18_19_02_08_en.pdf