A group of international data and privacy protection commissioners has decided to act together to challenge the surveillance society which they claim is developing. Commissioners from the UK, France, Germany and New Zealand will adopt common policies.

At the annual Conference of Data Protection and Information Commissioners, held last week in London, a joint set of objectives was adopted by the international commissioners aimed at tackling what they see as a growing international issue of constant citizen surveillance.

"The protection of citizens' personal data is vital for any society, on the same level as freedom of the press or freedom of movement," said the communiqué adopted by commissioners. "As our societies are increasingly dependent on the use of information technologies, and personal data collected or generated at a growing scale, it has become more essential than ever that individual liberties and other legitimate interests of are adequately respected."

The document calls on data and privacy commissioners to support the establishment of an international convention on data protection, which first agreed on by commissioners in 2005.

FULL STORY: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/11/08/privacy_chiefs_unite_over_surveillance/

SEE: The adopted document (7 page/83KB PDF)
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