15/04/2009

The European Union has said that online privacy is a priority for states across the continent.

Commenting on the investigation launched by the European Commission into the use of the controversial Phorm system in the UK, the EU has highlighted privacy as a key issue.

Viviane Reding, EU commissioner for information society and media, has said that Europeans have a right to privacy and that member states should ensure new technologies respect this right.

In a video post on her official website, Commissioner Reding explained: 'European privacy rules are crystal clear: a person's information can only be used with their prior consent.

'We cannot give up this basic principle, and have all our exchanges monitored, surveyed and stored in exchange for a promise of 'more relevant' advertising! I will not shy away from taking action where an EU country falls short of this duty.'

The UK is subject to an EU investigation regarding the secret trials of Phorm conducted in the country last year.