Charter for a democratic use of video-surveillance - 20 May 2010

This charter, built around seven principles, has been adopted by representants of ten European cities under the aegis of the European Forum for Urban Security (EFUS) in order provide to cities and other entities dealing with video-surveillance, a set of principles, references and recommendations for a good use of video-surveillance systems, respectful of civil liberties.

Council Framework Decision 2008/977/JHA on the protection of personal data processed in the framework of police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters – November, 29th 2008

The purpose of this Framework Decision is to create common rules for all EU Members States so as to ensure the protection of personal data processed in the framework of police and judicial co-operation in criminal matters. It must enable to guarantee a high level of protection of fundamental rights and freedoms of natural persons, while guaranteeing a high level of public safety. This Framework Decision is in the straight line of The Hague Programme.

Communication from the Commission: Examining the creation of a European Border Surveillance System (EUROSUR) - February, 13th 2008

The Communication examines the parameters within which a European border surveillance system (EUROSUR), focusing initially on the Union’s southern and eastern maritime borders, could be developed, and proposes a roadmap for setting up such a "system of systems" over the next few years.

Council Decision 2007/533/JHA on the establishment, operation and use of the second generation Schengen Information System (SIS II) - June, 12th 2007

The Decision contains provisions similar to the Regulation relating to the technical architecture and mode of operation of SIS II, notably that SIS II is composed of a central system comprising a technical support function containing the SIS II database and a uniform national interface, a national system in each of the Member States and a communication infrastructure between the central system and the national systems.

Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 on the establishment, operation and use of the second-generation Schengen Information System (SIS II) - December, 20th 2006

The purpose of SIS II is to ensure a high level of security within the area of freedom, security and justice of the European Union. The adoption of the Regulation follows the Commission communications of 2001 and 2003.

US-EU PNR agreements - October, 6th 2006

Agreement between the European Union and the United States of America on the processing and transfer of passenger name record (PNR) data by air carriers to the United States Department of Homeland Security

Directive 2006/24/EC - March, 15th 2006

The Directive 2006/24/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 March 2006 on the retention of data generated or processed in connection with the provision of publicly available electronic communications services or of public communications networks amends Directive 2002/58/EC by making mandatory for the electronic communications services providers to extend data retention for an additional period from 6 months to 2 years starting from the communication date.

Prüm Convention - May, 27th 2005

The Prüm Convention allows for the exchange all DNA, fingerprint and vehicle data. It reinforces transborder cooperation in order to struggle against terrorism, criminality, irregular immigration.

Council decision establishing the Visa Information System (VIS) - June, 8th 2004

The Visa Information System (VIS) is based on a centralised architecture and consists of a central information system, the "Central Visa Information System" (CS-VIS), and an interface in each Member State, the "National Interface" (NI-VIS), which provides the connection to the relevant central national authority of the respective Member State, and the communication infrastructure between the Central Visa Information System and the National Interfaces.

OECD Guidelines for the Security of Information Systems Information and Networks - July, 25th 2004

The use of information systems and networks and the entire information technology environment have changed dramatically since 1992 when the OECD first put forward the Guidelines for the Security of Information Systems. These continuing changes offer significant advantages but also require a much greater emphasis on security by governments, businesses, other organisations and individual users who develop, own, provide, manage service and use information systems and networks (“participants”).

Directive 2002/58/EC - July, 12th 2002

Directive 2002/58/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 July 2002 concerning the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in the electronic communications sector (Directive on privacy and electronic communications)

Council decision setting up Eurojust - February, 28th 2002

In order to step up cooperation in the fight against crime, the Tampere European Council decided to set up a unit called Eurojust, with the objective of coordinating the activities carried out by the national authorities responsible for prosecution.

Council of Europe: Convention on Cybercrime - 23 November 2001

The Convention is the first international treaty on crimes committed via the Internet and other computer networks, dealing particularly with infringements of copyright, computer-related fraud, child pornography and violations of network security. It also contains a series of powers and procedures such as the search of computer networks and interception.

Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 - December, 18th 2000

Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 of the European Parliament and the Council of 18 December 2000 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data by the Community institutions and bodies and on the free movement of such data

Council regulation concerning the establishment of ’Eurodac’ - December, 11th 2000

The Eurodac system enables Member States to identify asylum applicants and persons who have been apprehended while unlawfully crossing an external frontier of the Community. By comparing fingerprints, Member States can determine whether an asylum applicant or a foreign national found illegally present within a Member State has previously claimed asylum in another Member State or whether an asylum applicant entered the Union territory unlawfully.

Directive 95/46/EC - October, 24th 1995

Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 1995 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data

Convention for the protection of individuals with regard to automatic processing of personnel data – January, 28th 1981

The purpose of the Council of Europe convention is to guarantee to each person, the respect of his fundamental rights, and especially his right to a private life with regard to automatic processing of personal data related to him. This is one of the first standards which have been enacted concerning the protection of personal data.

Convention on the establishment of a European Police Office (EUROPOL) - July, 26th 2005

This Act sets up a European Police Office , known as Europol and established in The Hague, Netherlands. Europol has legal personality and its objective is to improve the effectiveness of, and cooperation between, the competent authorities in the Member States in preventing and combating international organised crime.