The European Commission has opened a public consultation seeking input on the “retention of data by service providers for criminal proceedings”, inviting civil society organisations and individuals to share their views on how such rules may impact fundamental rights. This move comes as part of broader plans to introduce legislative and non-legislative measures at the EU level related to access to digital information by law enforcement authorities. The consultation follows European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s political guidelines, in which she committed to equipping law enforcement with modern tools for lawful access to digital information while ensuring that fundamental rights are protected. While the consultation is aimed at evaluating the necessity and proportionality of such measures, concerns are being raised by digital rights groups like EDRi (European Digital Rights), which has released a guide to help individuals and civil society navigate the consultation. Read more here.
Source: EDRi