Press Release: Ombudsman welcomes Commission move towards better data protection

The European Ombudsman, P. Nikiforos Diamandouros, welcomed the European Commission's move to review its interpretation of the Data Protection Directive. The Commission's decision could result in improved citizens' rights. A German citizen had complained to the Commission about the State of Hamburg. He stated that the public authorities unlawfully handed over personal data to enterprises, knowing that they would use them for direct marketing purposes. The Commission replied that the Directive did not provide any protection against this. After the Ombudsman's intervention, the Commission agreed to review its assessment.