Opinion: Preserving the confidentiality of communications is essential to fundamental rights

Summary:

The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) has issued an Opinion on the proposed Regulation to extend the temporary derogation from certain provisions of the ePrivacy Directive to combat child sexual abuse online. The Regulation would allow providers of certain independent interpersonal communication services to continue applying specific technologies to detect child sexual abuse material. The EDPS expresses concern about the aims of this Regulation, which would restrict individuals' fundamental rights to privacy and personal data, including their right to the confidentiality of communications. The EDPS highlights that the necessary safeguards to prevent general and indiscriminate monitoring of private electronic communications are not included in the proposed Regulation and urges the EU's co-legislators to put in place measures to ensure compliance with the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights.