Press Release: Ombudsman calls on Commission to clarify data protection rules

The European Ombudsman proposed on 7 October 2002 clarification of the Community rules on data protection to emphasise that these rules do not limit the principle of openness and the right of access to official documents. The Ombudsman is concerned that data protection rules are being misinterpreted as implying the existence of a general right to participate anonymously in public activities.