Deep Packet Inspection Privacy and Human Rights
European Commission Seeks to Protect Internet Privacy
Following complaints about Phorm's Deep Packet Inspection Technology with UK internet service providers, the European Commission has opened a formal investigation. The EU e-Privacy and Data Protection Directives protect the confidentiality of communications by prohibiting interception and surveillance without the user's consent. Deep Packet Inspection allows internet service providers to intercept virtually all customers' Internet activity, including web surfing data and other Internet related activities. The Commission charges that the UK government could not permit this activity under European Union privacy law. In the US, Congressional leaders also objected to Deep Packet Inspection. For more information, see EPIC's page on Deep Packet Inspection and Privacy and Human Rights Report.