Blog | Privacy
Eircode Launches with Privacy and Data Protection Issues
Today is the launch of eircode, Ireland’s new postcode system. From a technology and privacy perspective, there are potentially numerous benefits to adopting such a system in Ireland. A postcode should ensure that private mail gets delivered to where it should be delivered, not to …
Facebook, Schrems, and the ECJ: An Update
You may have seen on social media that today is #DigitalRightsMatter day, which is really to say, today is like every other day. Because, for an increasing number of people in the world, digital rights matter every single day. Being able to communicate with tax …
Guest Post: Privacy International GCHQ Surveillance Tribunal Win
Following their court win against UK spying last week, here’s a guest post from Privacy International setting out the implications of their case and what they plan to do next: Privacy International, Bytes for All and other human rights groups are celebrating a major victory …
Data Privacy Day: Three Hot Button Issues in Ireland
Data Privacy Day (DPD), celebrated annually on Jan. 28, is an international effort centred on “Respecting Privacy, Safeguarding Data and Enabling Trust.” As data protection issues have moved into the sphere of broad consumer interest here in Ireland, one of the ways organisations, particularly state …
DRI’s Unchanged Position on Eircode
DRI has previously outlined concerns about privacy arising from flaws in the proposed National Postcode System known as eircode. We believe that the eircode project, as currently conceived, creates significant privacy and data protection issues. There are also other issues with eircode, principally: Complexity: In …
Leaked: European Parliament legal opinion on data retention
Our friends at Access have obtained a copy of the much anticipated European Parliament legal opinion on data retention the day before it is due to be considered by the Parliament. This is a report by the Parliament’s Legal Service which sets out an authoritative interpretation of the …
Irish government intervenes in Microsoft data access case
The US government is trying to force Microsoft demanding that it turn over user emails held in its Dublin facilities based on a US search warrant. The government of Ireland has now intervened in the case, filing an amicus curiae brief with the Court. It has raised issues …
DRI files court brief in support of Microsoft against US access to Irish data
You might have noticed that the US government is bringing a case against Microsoft demanding that it turn over user emails held in its Dublin facilities based on a US search warrant. This is a worrying overreach: the US authorities are seeking information held in Ireland, about …
Irish data sharing proposals – submission with Castlebridge Associates
DRI has teamed up with the ever knowledgeable data protection and information experts at Castlebridge Associates to agree a joint submission to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform’s consultation on a proposed Data Sharing and Governance Bill. There is a detailed summary in the …
Irish state has “scant regard” for your data – and now wants to share it even further
The Irish state has a deplorable record when it comes to protecting your personal information. That’s not just our view – it’s the assessment of the outgoing Data Protection Commissioner after nearly a decade in office. Here’s what he had to say to the Irish …
DRI added as amicus in challenge to Safe Harbour transfers
In a judgment today the High Court has joined Digital Rights Ireland as an amicus curiae in the legal challenge being brought by Max Schrems against the Data Protection Commissioner regarding data transfers to the United States, which will enable DRI to take part in …
Surveillance in Ireland: towards transparency
Where can you find the annual reports of the judges who oversee surveillance in Ireland? What is the agreement under which Irish ISPs provide communications data to gardaí? In what cases have the courts considered interception of communications under Irish law? What internal controls do …