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15 October 2009
Balancing national security and law enforcement with privacy and human rights
Telecommunications operators, including Vodafone, have traditionally been required to support law enforcement authorities by disclosing certain information on users and providing assistance with real time surveillance in the fight against serious crime and terrorism. These demands have increased in recent years with heightened concerns about terrorism. While this support and assistance plays an essential role in the protection of public safety and security, we must remain vigilant to ensure that this is done lawfully and does not unnecessarily interfere with the privacy of our customers.
We were closely involved in the multi-stakeholder dialogue to create the Global Network Initiative (GNI) principles, which recognise that ICT companies have a responsibility to respect and protect the freedom of expression and privacy rights of their users. However, Vodafone has decided not to sign up to the GNI principles because their current focus is on issues primarily affecting internet providers. There are substantial operational and regulatory differences between internet and telecommunications companies, which operate under licence from national authorities in each jurisdiction.
We will continue to engage with the initiative and with other telecommunications companies to build on this progress and establish common principles. This engagement is also helping to inform the development of Vodafone’s own policy on assisting law enforcement assistance to ensure we strike the right balance between the potentially conflicting obligations of safeguarding privacy and assisting law enforcement.
