Claude Moraes on data protection: 'Protecting citizens' rights always comes first'

NSA spying allegations, mass surveillance and data protection were all discussed when the Parliament’s Facebook fans took part in a chat with British S&D Member Claude Moraes on Tuesday 18 February. Moraes has written a report based on the inquiry launched by the Parliament last year after NSA whistle-blower Edward Snowden revealed large-scale monitoring by US authorities. “Protecting citizens' rights always comes first," he said. "That is why we are here."

One of the topics raised during the chat was the balance between data protection and security. “It is definitely in my view the business of the European Union to use its available powers on behalf of citizens to create a balance between security and privacy on the internet,” Moraes replied.
Moraes said the different political groups differed on how they saw Snowden's actions, but that in his view he was "essentially a whistleblower whose allegations are unprecedented and therefore, must be examined".

Facebook fans were also interested in the data protection legislative package that Parliament is working on. “It is really important that the data protection package, which is the new law to replace our inadequate existing laws balancing privacy and security, is implemented by the member states,” Moraes said.

You can read the full text of the chat and find out more about what the Parliament is doing to reinforce data protection by clicking here and here.