[7240] in cryptography@c2.net mail archive
[FYI] European Justice and Home Affairs Council considers preventive measures against Echelon
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Axel H Horns)
Tue May 30 13:39:10 2000
From: "Axel H Horns" <horns@t-online.de>
To: cryptography@c2.net
Date: Tue, 30 May 2000 18:50:43 +0100
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http://www.heise.de/tp/english/inhalt/te/6816/1.html
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European Justice and Home Affairs Council considers preventive
measures against Echelon
Jelle van Buuren 30.05.2000
Technical working group asked to look into measures to prevent abuse
of interception of telecommunications
The European Council on Justice and Home Affairs discussed yesterday
during lunch Echelon, the Anglo-American spying network that
according to reports of the European Parliament is being used to
intercept sensitive economical and political communication.
Although the European ministers of Justice said hard proof is failing
for the accusations, they are worried about the possible misuse of
electronic spionage. ' While telecommunication interception may be an
important tool in combatting crime or for the defence of national
security, in no case may it be used to gain commercial advantage,'
according to the Council.
The ministers decided to install a technical working group, which has
to investigate if 'technical measures', like strong encryption, are
possible to prevent the misuse of intercepted material. The Council
hailed the initiative of the European Commission to bring forward
appropriate measures for 'achieving a more secure information
society'. Further, it instructed Council working parties to encourage
'preventive measures which may protect against the abuse of new
technologies.'
Dutch minister of Justice Benk Korthals said to the Dutch press there
was no real proof of spying, but it was better to take preventive
measures. He asked for further studies on the possibility to make
international rules regarding the interception of telecommunications.
Also, he warned for the possibility organised crime would get the
technical possibilities to intercept satellite communications.
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