Blog | Mass surveillance
DRI condemns backdoor implementation of surveillance laws
Government proposals to introduce surveillance of all internet users are unacceptable. The proposed law will require Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to log details of every email, every instant message or chat message, and every time users log on or log off, and to store that …
UK security breach shows why data retention must be stopped
From the Irish Times: Britain’s prime minister Gordon Brown and chancellor Alistair Darling were left reeling last night after the astonishing disclosure that the personal data of 25 million people and 7.25 million families across the UK has been lost. The Metropolitan Police are now …
Safeguards needed for CCTV systems
Minister for Justice Brian Lenihan today announced more funding for community CCTV schemes. Unfortunately these schemes still fail to comply with basic safeguards recommended by the Law Reform Commission nearly ten years in its 1998 Report on Privacy. Experience in other jurisdictions have shown that …
Say no to a mobile phone register
DRI opposes Government proposals to introduce mandatory registration of mobile phones. These proposals will infringe on the privacy of every mobile phone user, as well as being expensive, impracticable and ineffective. But you don’t have to take our word for it. Here’s what the Department …
RTÉ’s This Week on Mobile Phone Tracking
The Rachel O’Reilly murder trial has focused attention on the use of mobile phone tracking. RTÉ’s This Week programme has a segment on the risks of tracking and data retention with contributions from the Data Protection Commissioner and DRI. …
TD requests phone tap investigation
RTÉ News reports that Dr. Jerry Cowley, Independent TD for Mayo, is to ask the complaints referee to investigate apparent official tapping of his telephone: The independent Mayo TD Jerry Cowley has called for an investigation to establish if his phone is being tapped by …
Fine Gael Concerns about Phone Tapping
The Irish Independent reports that Fine Gael share our concern about accountability in the phone tapping system: JUSTICE Minister Michael McDowell yesterday refused to reveal the number of phones taps he has authorised during his time in office. Although bugged phone conversations cannot be used …
Labour Party Concerns About Data Retention
It’s been some time coming, but we’re glad to see the Labour Party shares our concern about data retention: The Labour Party Spokesperson on Justice, Deputy Brendan Howlin TD, has called for a review of the operation of powers given to the Gardai under the …
Terrorism no excuse to undermine privacy
Peter Hustinx, European Data Protection Supervisor: Terrorism and organised crime should not be used as excuses for passing laws which undermine people’s privacy and data protection rights … It is a misconception that protection of privacy and personal data holds back the fight against terrorism …
The DRI legal action – What can you do to protect your rights?
We are at the edge of Europe, but our legal action challenging mass surveillance has implications for the whole European Union. We are the only group bringing a legal challenge and we need your support. We need support on a number of fronts: – We …
DRI brings legal action over mass surveillance
We have now started our legal action against the Government challenging Irish and European laws on data retention. Here’s the full press release. DIGITAL RIGHTS IRELAND CHALLENGES MASS SURVEILLANCE LAWS Irish civil rights group Digital Rights Ireland (DRI) has started a High Court action against …
Irish Times Endorses Data Retention Case
Yesterday’s Irish Times contained an editorial (subscription required) discussing data retention and supporting our case. We’ve taken the liberty of reproducing it here: Data retention needs fine balance How closely should a State monitor its citizens? Should it track every letter you send and receive? …