On 27 November the Commission called on all regulatory authorities and stakeholders in Europe to step up the fight against spam, spyware and malicious software. Despite existing EU legislation to outlaw spam in Europe, Europe continues to suffer from illegal online activities from inside the EU and from third countries, the Commission underlines in a new Communication. The Communication stresses that although internet safety is on the political agenda for some time, national authorities should step up their actions to prosecute illegal online activities.

On 16 November the European Commission launched 30 new eTen projects which will run over the next 3 years. These will validate and deploy electronic services in the public interest serving European citizens and businesses in areas including eHealth, eGovernment, eLearning, eInclusion, SME support, and Trust and Security.

An independent evaluation finds that the EU’s Safer Internet programme, which promotes safer internet use, particularly for children, has been very effective in tackling illegal and harmful internet content, whilst respecting people’s freedom of expression. The Commission is taking into account the recommendations of these experts, in its implementation of the “Safer Internet plus” programme in 2007-2008. Meanwhile, the current programme is being used as a model by other regions of the world.

The European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA) is presenting a step-by-step guide on how to set up a CERT (Computer Emergency Response Team). This new booklet/CD-ROM includes case studies, exercises and a project plan. The guide covers all aspects of what CERTs can provide, and the necessary steps to get started from all perspectives: business management, process management, the technical perspective and a project plan to put everything into practice.

As new information and communication technologies make it ever easier for anyone to publish, broadcast or communicate, so the ability to judge the true merit of media content and make conscious choices – or 'media literacy' – becomes ever more essential for active citizenship and democracy. To cultivate and improve media literacy in the digital age, the European Commission opened on 6 October an EU-wide survey of best practices, and will set out its findings and proposals in a Communication in 2007. The survey questionnaire seeks the public's views on media literacy in connection with digital technologies, and information about initiatives in commercial communications, film and the online world. The deadline for replies is 15 December.

On 21 September the European Commission adopted a Communication on the implementation of Directive 1997/7/EC on Distance Selling, and launched a consultation in order to assess the need to update the Directive. All EU Member States have transposed the Directive, but some problems have emerged with its practical application. For instance, reliance on new technologies, such as "mobile commerce" through SMS, and the popularity of certain marketing methods, such as on-line auctions, underlines the need to consider the effectiveness of the regulation of distance selling. The use of the "minimum clause", allowing Member States to introduce more stringent provisions to ensure a higher level of consumer protection, has also led to differences in the degree of protection from one Member State to another. This may have led to divergences and distortions in the internal market.

Global experts, policy-makers and industry will meet at The ICT for Biomedical Sciences 2006 Conference in Brussels on 29-30 June to discuss the challenges of Information and Communication Technologies for Biomedical Sciences.

Background Memo

Businesses, individuals and public administrations in Europe still underestimate the risks of insufficiently protecting networks and information. Security presently represents only around 5-13% of IT expenditure, which is alarmingly low.
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In April 2006, the European Biometrics Portal (EBP), established by the European Commission, completed its first sixth months of activity. Its aim is to encourage and support the exchange of information and data on biometric technology initiatives, deployments and trials. EBP is open to information coming from all over the world, even if its main focus is European.

On 2 May 2006, the European Court of Justice confirmed that the European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA), established in 2004 with its seat now in Heraklion (Greece), was correctly established on the basis of the single market clause in Article 95 of the EC Treaty. The Court thereby rejected a legal challenge made by the United Kingdom.

The European Court of Justice confirmed on 2 May that the European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA), established in 2004 with its seat now in Heraklion (Greece), was correctly established on the basis of the single market clause in Article 95 of the EC Treaty. The Court thereby rejected a legal challenge made by the United Kingdom.

The reluctant take-up of electronic signature tools is slowing down the growth of trade in goods and services via the internet, says the Commission in a progress report published this week. However, growing use of electronic ID cards and the use of e-signatures in e-government services, such as on-line income tax returns, are expected to drive demand in the future. The report also confirms that the 1999 Directive on a Community framework for electronic signatures continues to provide, for the moment, a valid basis for electronic signatures in the internal market.

Radio Frequency Identification Devices (RFID), which will soon replace bar codes in your supermarket, offer tremendous opportunities for business and society. But their power to report their location, identity and history also raises serious concerns about personal privacy and security, as well as technical interoperability and international compatibility.
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Vice-President Siim Kallas is undergoing a three-day visit to Portugal dedicated to the crucial role of ICT in the achievement of the Lisbon goals, a few days after the Commission adopted its contribution on the revised Lisbon strategy to the Spring European Council

Biometrics is becoming a key technology in identity management all over the world. The European Commission has just launched a new public information portal on biometrics, to provide an online platform for information exchange, coordination and community building activities between users and producers in Europe. The European Biometrics Portal (EBP) will be open to scientific and policy contributions from governments, industry and civil society authors. EBP access and membership are free of charge. The new portal's objective is to encourage the development of consistent policies in the field of biometrics and the respect of privacy. EBP will also support European industry in consolidating its resources.

Retention of traffic data of telecommunications has been high on the political agenda during the last months. Two rivalling proposals for EU-legislation are on the table - a draft framework decision proposed by four Member States and a Commission proposal for a Directive. Peter Hustinx, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS), who today presents his Opinion on the Commission proposal observes: "This is an incredibly sensitive issue. The Directive has a direct impact on the protection of privacy of EU citizens and it is crucial that it respects their fundamental rights, as settled by the case law of the European Court of Human Rights. A legislative measure that would weaken the protection is not only unacceptable but also illegal".

The European Commission has adopted today a proposal for a Directive on the retention of communications traffic data. The proposal provides for an EU-wide harmonisation of the obligations on providers of publicly available electronic communications, or a public telecommunications network, to retain data related to mobile and fixed telephony for a period of one year, and internet communication data, for six month. The proposed Directive would not be applicable to the actual content of the communications. It also includes a provision ensuring that the service or network providers will be reimbursed for the demonstrated additional costs they will have.

The International Organisation for Standardization (ISO) decided to start work on a standard for Identity Management based on deliverables of the IST Network of Excellence FIDIS (Future of Identity in the Information Society). This standard will provide organisations of all kinds with a framework for the definition of identity and the secure management of identity information. This process will provide the basis for the adoption of the FIDIS specifications as an International Standard.

Terrorist attacks using explosives or chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear substances on mainline or metropolitan railway systems pose a clear and present danger to EU citizens. This is why the European Commission has decided to fund a research project to design and demonstrate an anti-terrorist security system architecture to better detect these terrorist threats and hence better protect railway passengers. The project will combine information from combine information from sensors, remote control or autonomous cameras, ground penetrating radars and line scanners. This is one of 13 projects selected under the ‘Preparatory Action for Security Research’ to improve the security of EU citizens and strengthen the European industrial base. The eight technology projects and five supporting activities selected will receive EU funding of €15 million. Given the increasing importance of security research, the Commission proposed to substantially increase the yearly budget from €15 million to roughly €250 million a year from 2007.