179 or 180 years?
For those confused as to how 2010-1831 = 180, take a look at the link at the bottom of the article. Kinda explains it, sort of, ish.
The European Commission has outlined what information is swapped across borders and how and why it is stored. Cecilia Malmstrom, Commissioner for Home Affairs, said people should know what information is stored about them and why. The overview aims to provide an understanding from which a wider review can come. It outlines …
One might get the impression that EU cares about ones security on the internet, but I suspect this measure is for simply preparing for cloud computing and some kind of ultimate surveillance program/system, where it would be necessary to have the legal framework worked out in order to function properly.
The link points out that EU cannot force implementation or policing. The commission can impose a single or periodic fine, apparently unlimited, as long as the breach exists.
What public opinion might influence is the size of the fine. I'd be for 1,000,000,000 Euros on day 1 and each completed month, based on valuing transgressions compared to Microsoft and information value following copyright fines.
When I purchase products or services, I don't authorise any company to hold or use that data for their own purposes (expect for the obvious like mortgages etc...).
Any one holding information about me should have fewer rights over the data than the person whom which the data is the subject of.
Come down hard. The UK will soon change its position when hit with a huge fine, especially in the current financial climate. Mind you, the blues are anti Europe anyway, not that you could tell..........