Is our personal information on the internet safe?

The PACE delegates gave a negative answer to this question, ironically mentioning that it appeared as though the world was entering an era of totalitarianism with Google acting as a de facto Big Brother.

On the last day of the PACE autumn session, on October 7 the Assembly discussed “The protection of privacy and personal data on the Internet and online media” report made by the Slovenian delegate Andrea Rihter (see the photo). The reporter stated that data protection on the Internet and in online media had become a matter of great importance for everybody, “We use mobile phones and e-mail, Internet banking and e-voting, we visit websites and perhaps have our own blogs and Facebook sites.” She stressed that, as we could be located geographically, our use of the Internet was registered, and data put on the Internet could be used by others, “Technologically, it is possible to profile the digital traces left by dear colleagues when they book flights, tickets and Strasbourg hotels on the Internet, use mobile phones while travelling, buy souvenirs with a credit card.”
The picture drawn by the rapporteur was like the fulfillment of the ominous prediction made by Sandra Bullock’s character in the 1995 movie called “The Net”, “It\’s like this little electronic shadow on each and every one of us, just begging for someone to screw with.” Other delegates, sharing their experience with the Assembly, filled the picture. For example, Frédéric Reiss told that only recently he had typed his home address into Google Maps and found a picture of his home, including the image of a tiling company van on the road outside, which he had contracted to do some work a year ago. The delegate was astonished that such information was publicly available and could not be erased, “My front door, window and garage could be clearly seen – information that burglars can easily abuse.”  He mentioned that it appeared as though the world was entering an era of totalitarianism with Google acting as a de facto Big Brother.
“We know that, once we put something on the Internet, we lose control of it”, said Tineke Strik, speaking on behalf of the Socialist Group. “At the moment, we may withdraw a text but it has already been transported to so many sites that it is impossible to wipe it out completely.”
What measures were suggested to be taken at the PACE to protect our personal data on the internet? “We need an international convention similar to the Convention on Cybercrime”, first suggested rapporteur Andrea Rihter. It was suggested on behalf of the PACE Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights that there was a need for a European standard for regulation. An offer was voiced that, regarding the state’s own information channels and the use of personal data, the state should have asked for as little information as possible and retain data only if it was strictly necessary and only for a very short time. Also, the exchange of data should be safeguarded by strict rules and norms. The person, speaking on behalf of the Socialist Group, also made such a demand, “The authorities of member states should also protect their citizens from companies that have interests in personal data. Companies such as Facebook and Google know a lot about us and they have a commercial interest in exploiting those data. The states should make sure that those companies inform their clients about exactly what they do with those data.” Kerstin Lundgren, speaking on behalf of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, said that it was important that they enhanced the opportunity for individuals to go to court if there was misuse of their personal data.