Success Stories: Research and Information Dissemination

Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC)
Submitted by: Marc Rotenberg

Issue(s) you addressed?

One of the big issues in the privacy world in the last few years concerns "data retention" -- governments want ISPs and telephone companies to keep all of the records on their customers for police investigations. Privacy groups strongly oppose these efforts. Data retention is contrary to human rights standards and can be used to go after political organizations and journalists. In fact, the Indy Media web sites have run into this problem in the US, and Yahoo recently turned over information to the Chinese police that led to the arrest and 10-year sentence of a journalist for e-mailing "state secrets."

What did you do to achieve results? (If applicable, you may want to mention partners here.)

EPIC worked with the European Digital Rights Initiative (EDRi) to support an online petition and to bring public attention to a police effort to require communications companies to keep records on their customers. The proposal has far-reaching implication for journalists, dissidents, and minority political parties. EDRi had very good ties to civil liberties groups in Europe. EPIC's web page on the topic was ranked #1 on the Internet. By linking the EPIC web page to the EDRi campaign, we provided information about the topic and helped promote the online petition. The campaign contributed to a compromise proposal that was accepted by European Justice Ministers in mid-October.

Challenges you faced and/or still face?

Privacy is a crosscutting issue for globalization. Because so much happens today on the Internet – from commerce to political organizing – privacy protection has far-reaching implications for consumers, journalists, and political action. At the same time, governments are expanding their surveillance capabilities. We expect many more challenges like the data retention proposal.

Achievements--current and/or anticipated?

EPIC works to support effective global NGO action through several techniques: a web site filled with popular pages on emerging issues (“data retention,” “Patriot Act,” “Total Information Awareness,” “RFID privacy”); the publication of a comprehensive survey on privacy and human rights developments (similar to the annual reports of Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch), and assistance to civil liberties and consumer organizations as new privacy issues emerge. In 2006 we will publish the next edition of our report, identify new issues, and continue to expand our global efforts, particularly in Latin America.