EC ends legal action against UK over ePrivacy laws

The European Commission (EC) has ended a legal case against the UK government over concerns it was failing to properly implement European ePrivacy and data protection laws.

The EC began the case in April 2009 after numerous complaints from citizens that the government was not taking seriously concerns over targeted behavioural advertising systems being used by several internet service providers (ISPs).

This chiefly referred to the outcry around Phorm, which was heavily attacked by internet users and privacy groups over the way the company gathered browsing information to serve targeted adverts.

In October 2010 the EC said it would take the government to the European Union Courts of Justice over the issue.

But the Commission said it is now satisfied the government has addressed these concerns by amending its national legislation, prohibiting the interception of users' electronic communications without explicit consent.

The government has also enabled the Interception of Communications Commissioner (ICC) to hear complaints about unlawful interception.

"The EC has closed an infringement case against the UK in recognition that UK national legislation has now been changed to properly implement EU rules on ePrivacy and data protection on the confidentiality of communications such as email or internet browsing," it said in a statement.

"The Commission believes UK law and institutions are now well-equipped to enforce the privacy rights of UK users."

V3 contacted the Cabinet Office for comment on the decision but had received no reply at the time of publication.