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MEP Kelly to question US Ambassador on ‘server-tapping’ privacy concerns

Published: Wed, 12 June 2013

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Sean Kelly MEP will raise concerns for the privacy of EU citizens using internet sites linked to the US ‘server-tapping’ scandal, when he meets the US Ambassador to the EU today (Wednesday, June 12th).

“The allegations that US authorities have been snooping on millions of people via internet servers is a very serious one. I am conscious that there are real concerns over privacy of EU citizens using any internet sites linked to the alleged operation and I will raise this issue directly with US Ambassador to the EU, William E Kennard, in our meetings,” Mr Kelly said in Strasbourg today.

Mr Kelly, an EPP Group lead negotiator on the forthcoming EU General Regulation on Data Protection, will meet Ambassador Kennard at the European Parliament, Strasbourg on Wednesday and Thursday.

“In our on-going Data Protection negotiations at EU level, the greatest challenge is balancing the need for information with the right to privacy,” the Ireland South MEP continued.

“Obviously, authorities need a certain amount of intelligence in order to prevent possible terrorist attacks or breaches of security which we would be conscious of. However, it is important that we receive some clarity on this issue and verify whether or not the privacy of our citizens was invaded.”

Mr Kelly will also discuss the potential EU-US Trade deal with the US representative, as a member of the EU’s Delegation for Relations with the United States.

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