EU move sparks junk email fears

A SURGE of unwanted emails and invasion of privacy could be unleashed by a new EU directive, politicians have warned.

The directive is aimed at providing a wealth of information for mainly mobile phone users, chiefly through the use of data gathered by public or Government bodies.

The type of information enabled to be sent to electronic customers would include maps, weather data, traffic and transport news, business and economic data and statistics.

But because the draft directive also covers registration data, there are fears it could result in the electoral register being made cheaply available to direct marketing companies.

Mobile phone and computer users could be exposed to more 'spamming', or unsolicited and unwanted ads in text messages and emails, said Fine Gael TD Richard Bruton.

The EU Council of Ministers has decided, however, that the success of the 3G mobile licences will depend on content and wants the widespread dissemination of public information. They aim to pass the directive by the year-end.

The proposed information goldrush would cover all documents held by public bodies in member States, except those exempt under the Freedom of Information Act or by virtue of data protection legislation.

Complete databases would be made available to commercial concerns. The public bodies which hold them could make them available subject to licence, which could set terms and conditions for re-use of the material.

Senan Molony
Political Correspondent