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EU 'to defend web users' privacy' EU presses for web users' privacy
(about 3 hours later)
The European Union is to warn internet companies to make better efforts to protect information they are given by consumers, or face tougher regulation. The European Union has told internet companies to make better efforts to protect information they are given by consumers, or face tougher regulation.
Consumer Affairs Commissioner Meglena Kuneva will meet firms like Microsoft and Google to tell them standards of privacy are "not satisfactory". Consumer Affairs Commissioner Meglena Kuneva told leading e-commerce and internet search firms that standards of privacy are "not satisfactory".
"Basic consumer rights in terms of transparency, control and risk are being violated," she will say. "Basic consumer rights in terms of transparency, control and risk are being violated," she said.
Internet firms say they have recently taken action to protect users' data.Internet firms say they have recently taken action to protect users' data.
Consumer rightsConsumer rights
The technology used by internet companies to profile customers is becoming so sophisticated that more confidential personal information is being recorded than consumer watchdogs believe is necessary.The technology used by internet companies to profile customers is becoming so sophisticated that more confidential personal information is being recorded than consumer watchdogs believe is necessary.
We must establish the principles of transparency, clear language, opt-in or opt-out options that are meaningful and easy to use Meglena Kuneva, European Commissioner for Consumer AffairsWe must establish the principles of transparency, clear language, opt-in or opt-out options that are meaningful and easy to use Meglena Kuneva, European Commissioner for Consumer Affairs
In a speech on Tuesday, Ms Kuneva will warn internet giants such as Microsoft and Google that "the current situation with regard to privacy profiling and targeting is unsatisfactory". In a speech on Tuesday, Ms Kuneva warned internet giants such as Microsoft and Google that "the current situation with regard to privacy, profiling and targeting is not satisfactory".
The EU is concerned that consumers are being pressured into handing over personal data to subscribe to internet services, and that confidential information is then abused to create a profile to target the customer for sales.The EU is concerned that consumers are being pressured into handing over personal data to subscribe to internet services, and that confidential information is then abused to create a profile to target the customer for sales.
Last month, the social networking site Facebook was forced to abandon a plan to change its policy towards privacy after a backlash by users.Last month, the social networking site Facebook was forced to abandon a plan to change its policy towards privacy after a backlash by users.
The EU cites this as evidence that the regulators need to intervene to protect consumers.The EU cites this as evidence that the regulators need to intervene to protect consumers.
Brussels recognises that keeping data that tracks customers' preferences is useful for marketing, but insists that consumer rights must be protected.Brussels recognises that keeping data that tracks customers' preferences is useful for marketing, but insists that consumer rights must be protected.
Ms Kuneva will warn online businesses that if the EU fails to "see an adequate response", the regulator will not "shy away" from its duty to protect consumers. Ms Kuneva warned online businesses that if the EU fails to "see an adequate response", the regulator will not "shy away" from its duty to protect consumers.
"We must establish the principles of transparency, clear language, opt-in or opt-out options that are meaningful and easy to use," she will say. "We must establish the principles of transparency, clear language, opt-in or opt-out options that are meaningful and easy to use," she said.