Privacy watchdog steps up fight against Europol's hoarding of personal data

An EU watchdog says rules that allow Europol cops to retain personal data on individuals with no links to criminal activity go against Europe's own data privacy protections, not to mention undermining the regulator's powers and role. As such, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) has asked Europe's top court to toss …

[Wellyboot]

EuroPlod doing what Plod does

Individuals with no links to criminal activity - yet.

EuroPlods mindset in a nutshell.

[Pascal Monett]

So, the EU version of the NSA, then ?

It seems that the need to hoover all the data is a virus that every police agency catches without fail.

[Sabot]

It is their mindset.

For police, every non-police person is a potential criminal, and potential criminals deserve to have as much of their data as possible in police databases, illegally or not.

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: It is their mindset.

and vice-versa.

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: It is their mindset.

@Sabot

Quote: "...For police, every non-police person is a potential criminal..."

You forgot the collorary: "For citizens, every police person is a potential criminal...."

.....especially in the Met!!

TFTFY

[wiltshirejohn]

Errm

If you've nothing to hide you've nothing to fear - Cough Cough Cough Haccck - PTUI

[Anonymous Coward]

Enforcement?

Quote: "...If those folks had no nefarious ties, then the law enforcement agency was supposed to erase the private information."

Usual smoke and mirrors here........I suppose the POLICE are expected to enforce this law which applies to the POLICE!!!!

I won't hold my breath!!!!!!

[Anonymous Coward]

We're all potential perps

"Megacity One is 800 million citizens ... 800 million potential perps" - Judge Dredd

[Andy The Hat]

6 months isn't long enough to check whether the person is, or may be, involved in current criminal activity?

"Currently subject to investigation" flag on live investigations, otherwise delete, simples. Yes there will be arguments about the legitimacy of some "live" investigations but for the vast majority of citizens the law would be beneficial.

Obviously this only works if the law is there to protect and benefit the citizen, not to protect and benefit the systems of control ...

[Anonymous Coward]

The EDPS…

…were supposed to be another "see, we have one of those" institutions, bit like the European Ombudsman, whose job is to stand there looking pretty and not to embarrass anyone. Instead, the commission made the mistake of putting someone competent and motivated in charge.

I see their funding being cut in not very long. And I hope they respond by crowd funding. I'm definitely contributing, as I already do with a well known privacy NGO.