5 minute information
Aus Freiheit statt Angst!
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5-minute information: Data retention | 5-minute information: Data retention | ||
| - | According to plans of the parties CDU, CSU and SPD, from 2008 on it shall be possible to trace who has contacted whom via telephone, mobile phone or e-mail over | + | According to plans of the German parties CDU, CSU and SPD, from 2008 on it shall be possible to trace who has contacted whom via telephone, mobile phone or e-mail over a period of six months. For mobile calls or text messages via mobile phone the user's location will also be logged. Anonymising services will be prohibited. |
| - | + | The data that is to be collected about the entire population allows for profiling our movements, the reconstruction of our business contacts, for the identification of our personal relationships. It also allows for the deduction of information on the content of communications, on personal interests and on life circumstances of the person communicating. Access to the data is to be granted to the police, public prosecutors, secret services and foreign states which hope for better prosecution of crimes. | |
| - | At | + | At present, telecommunications providers may retain only data required for billing purposes. This is not the case with location data and information regarding e-mails, for examle. Customers can request the deletion of billing data as soon as the monthly invoice has been sent out. By using a flat rate one can prevent the collection of traffic data altogether, which can be important for journalists, counsellors and others. |
| + | Where is the Problem? | ||
| - | The current plans | + | The current plans regarding the collection of information about citizens' communication, movements and use of media constitute the greatest threat yet to our right to an independent and private life. |
We would all suffer from data retention: | We would all suffer from data retention: | ||
| - | + | * Data retention constitutes an excessive invasion into our personal privacy. | |
| + | * Data retention disrupts professional activities (e.g. in the fields of medicine, law, clergy, journalism) as well as political and business activities that rely on discretion. It ultimately harms our free society itself. | ||
| + | * Data retention doesn't prevent terrorism or crime. It is unnecessary and can easily be circumvented by criminals. | ||
| + | * Data retention violates the human right to privacy and informational self-determination. | ||
| + | * Data retention puts a financial strain both on businesses and consumers. | ||
| + | * Data retention discriminates against users of telephone, mobile phone and internet services in comparison to other means of communication. | ||
| - | * Data retention has a negative influence on professional activities (in the fields of e.g. medicine, law, church, journalism) as much as political and entrepreneurial activities which demand discretion. Therefore in the end it harms our free society as such. | ||
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| - | * Data retention doesn't prevent terrorism or crime. It is unnecessary and can easily be circumvented by criminals. | ||
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| - | * Data retention violates the human right to privacy and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Informational_Self-Determination informational self-determination] (that means the right to control the usage of personal data by others). | ||
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| - | * Data retention is expensive and costs both the economy and the consumer money. | ||
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| - | * Data retention discriminates against users of telephone, mobile phone and internet compared to other means of communication. | ||
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Current situation | Current situation | ||
| - | The German Federal Minister of Justice, Brigitte Zypries, is | + | The German Federal Minister of Justice, Brigitte Zypries, is currently pushing a draft bill concerning the introduction of data retention in Germany. The Bundestag (German parliament) is to vote on the bill in autumn. The plans are supported by the governing parties CDU, CSU and SPD. But there is an increasing tendency, also in politics, to at least delay data retention until the European Court has ruled on its legality. |
| - | + | Whether or not data retention can be averted greatly depends on public pressure. | |
| - | + | Act now: | |
| - | + | * Change the minds of SPD, CDU and CSU MEPs | |
| - | + | * Take part in the class action suit against data retention | |
| - | + | * Sign the appeal "SPD, CDU and CSU against data retention" | |
| - | + | * Participate in the "Arbeitskreis Vorratsdatenspeicherung" (German Work Group on Data Retention) | |
| - | + | * Other ways of acting | |
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Read more: | Read more: | ||
| - | + | * Latest news | |
| - | + | * Background information on data retention | |
| - | + | * Pros and cons of data retention | |
| - | + | * More information and resources | |
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[[Kategorie:English]] | [[Kategorie:English]] | ||
Version vom 11:09, 22. Jul. 2007
5-minute information: Data retention
According to plans of the German parties CDU, CSU and SPD, from 2008 on it shall be possible to trace who has contacted whom via telephone, mobile phone or e-mail over a period of six months. For mobile calls or text messages via mobile phone the user's location will also be logged. Anonymising services will be prohibited.
The data that is to be collected about the entire population allows for profiling our movements, the reconstruction of our business contacts, for the identification of our personal relationships. It also allows for the deduction of information on the content of communications, on personal interests and on life circumstances of the person communicating. Access to the data is to be granted to the police, public prosecutors, secret services and foreign states which hope for better prosecution of crimes.
At present, telecommunications providers may retain only data required for billing purposes. This is not the case with location data and information regarding e-mails, for examle. Customers can request the deletion of billing data as soon as the monthly invoice has been sent out. By using a flat rate one can prevent the collection of traffic data altogether, which can be important for journalists, counsellors and others. Where is the Problem?
The current plans regarding the collection of information about citizens' communication, movements and use of media constitute the greatest threat yet to our right to an independent and private life.
We would all suffer from data retention:
- Data retention constitutes an excessive invasion into our personal privacy.
- Data retention disrupts professional activities (e.g. in the fields of medicine, law, clergy, journalism) as well as political and business activities that rely on discretion. It ultimately harms our free society itself.
- Data retention doesn't prevent terrorism or crime. It is unnecessary and can easily be circumvented by criminals.
- Data retention violates the human right to privacy and informational self-determination.
- Data retention puts a financial strain both on businesses and consumers.
- Data retention discriminates against users of telephone, mobile phone and internet services in comparison to other means of communication.
Current situation
The German Federal Minister of Justice, Brigitte Zypries, is currently pushing a draft bill concerning the introduction of data retention in Germany. The Bundestag (German parliament) is to vote on the bill in autumn. The plans are supported by the governing parties CDU, CSU and SPD. But there is an increasing tendency, also in politics, to at least delay data retention until the European Court has ruled on its legality.
Whether or not data retention can be averted greatly depends on public pressure. Act now:
- Change the minds of SPD, CDU and CSU MEPs
- Take part in the class action suit against data retention
- Sign the appeal "SPD, CDU and CSU against data retention"
- Participate in the "Arbeitskreis Vorratsdatenspeicherung" (German Work Group on Data Retention)
- Other ways of acting
Read more:
- Latest news
- Background information on data retention
- Pros and cons of data retention
- More information and resources
