ROME, June 19 /PRNewswire/ --

- Institute will focus on Policy Solutions to Protect Personal Data in 
the Digital Age in Italy and the European Union

A group of prominent Italian privacy advocates and jurists have launched
the Italian Institute for Privacy (www.istitutoitalianoprivacy.it/en/), a
public policy think tank focused on improving privacy protection in the
digital age. This broad-based coalition of prominent Italians will focus its
efforts on the protection of personal privacy online for citizens in Italy
and throughout Europe.

Protection of personal privacy and data online is a growing problem that
will challenge European policy-makers. Implementation of an appropriate
legislative and regulatory framework that is pro-consumer, transparent and
allows for customer control is an important first step in the protection of
privacy.

Recent actions by the Italian Government demonstrate that steps must be
taken to protect online data. The government's release of the tax returns of
Italian citizens is just one example of a large-scale breach of privacy.

"It is quite scary that citizens can suddenly have their personal data
displayed online for everyone to see," said Luca Bolognini, spokesman for The
Italian Institute for Privacy. "The government's decision to make private
financial information about every Italian citizen available to the general
public was a fundamental breach of trust. This extreme action shows how
vigilant we citizens must be in defense of our basic right to privacy."

Protecting personal data online transcends across all of Europe, not just
Italy. As the internet grows it offers new and innovative services to online
users. While these innovations are exciting, they also pose significant risks
to consumers. It is the obligation of ISPs and content providers to ensure
that privacy protections are in place and that users are able to make
informed decisions about their participation in online services.

Recently, the Article 29 Working Party, composed of Data Protection
Authorities of the EU Member States and chaired by the European Commission,
issued a landmark report that recommended that the storage length of personal
data that can be reasonably justified by search engines be limited to no more
than six months. Internet search providers and content providers must
disclose their data collection, retention and privacy policies upfront.

"The Institute believes it will be imperative for European policy makers,
especially those in Brussels, to ensure appropriate action is taken to
protect people's privacy online," said Bolognini.

About The Italian Institute for Privacy

The Italian Privacy Institute, based in Rome, works to ensure that
Italian and European Internet users are properly protected against invasions
of their personal privacy. We conduct our analyses and formulate our policy
proposals based on the following principles: Privacy is a basic human right.
Without privacy, citizens are not fully free to search for information,
conduct business, and participate in the public debate online; The Internet
industry (i.e. service providers, search engines, and others) has a
responsibility to ensure the privacy of their customers; Governments have a
responsibility to ensure the privacy of its citizens, including properly
safeguarding personal information in public databases; and Governments should
not be able to infringe on privacy without proper cause and due process. To
learn more about The Italian Institute for Privacy, visit
www.istitutoitalianoprivacy.it/en/.

Web site:  http://www.istitutoitalianoprivacy.it/en/