IP: European Justice and Home Affairs Council considerspreventive measures against Echelon

[Dave Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>]

> European Justice and Home Affairs Council considers preventive
> measures against Echelon
>
> Jelle van Buuren   30.05.2000
>
> Technical working group asked to look into measures to prevent abuse
> of interception of telecommunications
>
> The European Council on Justice and Home Affairs discussed yesterday
> during lunch Echelon, the Anglo-American spying network that
> according to reports of the European Parliament is being used to
> intercept sensitive economical and political communication.
>
> Although the European ministers of Justice said hard proof is failing
> for the accusations, they are worried about the possible misuse of
> electronic spionage. ' While telecommunication interception may be an
> important tool in combatting crime or for the defence of national
> security, in no case may it be used to gain commercial advantage,'
> according to the Council.
>
> The ministers decided to install a technical working group, which has
> to investigate if 'technical measures', like strong encryption, are
> possible to prevent the misuse of intercepted material. The Council
> hailed the initiative of the European Commission to bring forward
> appropriate measures for 'achieving a more secure information
> society'. Further, it instructed Council working parties to encourage
> 'preventive measures which may protect against the abuse of new
> technologies.'
>
> Dutch minister of Justice Benk Korthals said to the Dutch press there
> was no real proof of spying, but it was better to take preventive
> measures. He asked for further studies on the possibility to make
> international rules regarding the interception of telecommunications.
> Also, he warned for the possibility organised crime would get the
> technical possibilities to intercept satellite communications.