[LINK] itNews: 'EU publishes code of online rights'

[Roger Clarke]

https://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/en/code-eu-online-rights


EU publishes code of online rights
Dec 27, 2012 9:43 AM (1 day ago)
http://www.itnews.com.au/News/327354,eu-publishes-code-of-online-rights.aspx

ISPs and users given clear expectations.

The European Commission has published a Code of Online Rights to 
educate citizens on their fundamental rights when connecting to the 
internet.

The Code of EU Online Rights does not introduce new laws, but rather 
summarises and explains in plain language the rights codified in 
existing laws universal to EU jurisdictions.

The rights broadly cover access, privacy, consumer rights, and 
conflict resolution.

The rights state that all European citizens should expect a 
'universal service' of good quality, accessible fixed communications 
at a reasonable price for data (internet browsing) and voice calls.

Access must also be "open" and "neutral". Users should have their 
choice of applications and services. Members states should only ban 
applications or services when "appropriate, proportionate and 
necessary within a democratic society", such as acting on content 
that might "seriously impair [the] physical, mental and moral 
development" of minors or incite hatred based on race, sex, religion 
or nationality.

EU citizens are also granted a right to online privacy insofar as 
they should be informed of the purpose of any data collected and 
stored about them; that they can request copies of this data; and 
that certain information cannot be stored:

"Personal data revealing racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, 
religious or philosophical beliefs, trade-union membership, and the 
processing of data concerning health or sex life is only permitted 
with explicit consent of the individual, where allowed by national 
legislation."

Individuals have the right to secure communications (such as e-mail), 
to be informed when their browsing is tracked and to be notified by 
their ISP should their private data be exposed.

When buying goods and services online, European citizens are entitles 
to information on the product, price, delivery costs, identifying 
information on the trader, and minimum contracts for service plans, 
among others.

These rights are particularly involving when considering the entering 
of a contract for provision of an online service.

The Code of Online Rights also explores an EU citizen's right to sue 
or be sued during disputes over online services, and details what 
processes citizens can call on when in dispute with an online service 
provider based in non-EU countries.

The full list of rights has been published on the EC web site.
https://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/en/code-eu-online-rights


-- 
Roger Clarke                                 http://www.rogerclarke.com/
			            
Xamax Consultancy Pty Ltd      78 Sidaway St, Chapman ACT 2611 AUSTRALIA
                    Tel: +61 2 6288 1472, and 6288 6916
mailto:Roger.Clarke at xamax.com.au                http://www.xamax.com.au/

Visiting Professor in the Faculty of Law               University of NSW
Visiting Professor in Computer Science    Australian National University