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- Info
Privacy International vs Viatel
Case overview
| Date filed |
5
November
2013
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| Current status |
Rejected
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| Issue |
HR violations facilitated by 6 UK telecom companies
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| Summary of the case |
The complaint alleges that the telecom companies facilitated mass interception of internet and telephone traffic by granting the UKs Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) access to their fibre optic networks for the Tempora surveillance program. Privacy International argues that by collaborating with GCHQ and providing access to the networks, the companies knowingly enabled the mass and indiscriminate collection of data and interception of communications and thus contributed to the violation of human rights, including the right to privacy and freedom of expression.
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| Developments/Outcome |
The UK NCP forwarded the complaints to the companies named in the complaint for a response. All companies refuted the allegations and insist they are acting in accordance with the law.
In July 2014 the UK NCP rejected the complaint on the basis that it thinks the complainant was not able to substantiate a link between the 6 telecom companies and the allegations. The NCP is of the opinion that reports based on documents provided by Edward Snowden and published by the Guardian and Suddeutsche Zeitung do not substantiate a sufficient link between the companies and mass surveillance.
The publication of the initial assessment was delayed to October 2014 to await the UK NCP's Steering Board decision on the complainant's request for a review of the NCP's procedure in handling the complaint. The Steering Board decided in September to refuse the request for review and allowed the initial assessment to be made public. |
| Relevant OECD Guidelines |
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| Case keywords |
Les droits de l'homme
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NCP Information
Complainant
Company Information
| Company responsible |
Viatel
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| Company address |
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| Company website |
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| Company in violation |
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| Country of operations |
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| Other companies involved |
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Timeline of developments
| Date |
Actor |
Action |
Description |
Document |
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27
October
2014
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National Contact Point United Kingdom |
reject |
NCP rejects complaint |
download pdf
(448Kb)
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27
October
2014
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Privacy International |
press release |
Press release following the rejection of the complaint |
download pdf
(1767Kb)
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5
November
2013
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Privacy International |
press release |
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download pdf
(546Kb)
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