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persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and
repealing Directive 95/46 (General Data Protection Regulation) (OJ 2016 L 119, p. 1).
4
Article 3(2) of Directive 95/46 provided:
‘This Directive shall not apply to the processing of personal data:
–
in the course of an activity which falls outside the scope of Community law, such as those
provided for by Titles V and VI of the Treaty on European Union and in any case to processing
operations concerning public security, defence, State security (including the economic well-being
of the State when the processing operation relates to State security matters) and the activities of
the State in areas of criminal law,
–
by a natural person in the course of a purely personal or household activity.’
Directive 2002/58
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Recitals 2, 6, 7 and 11 of Directive 2002/58 state:
‘(2)
This Directive seeks to respect the fundamental rights and observes the principles recognised in
particular by the [Charter]. In particular, this Directive seeks to ensure full respect for the rights
set out in Articles 7 and 8 of [the Charter].
…
(6)
The internet is overturning traditional market structures by providing a common, global
infrastructure for the delivery of a wide range of electronic communications services. Publicly
available electronic communications services over the internet open new possibilities for users
but also new risks for their personal data and privacy.
(7)
In the case of public communications networks, specific legal, regulatory and technical
provisions should be made in order to protect fundamental rights and freedoms of natural persons
and legitimate interests of legal persons, in particular with regard to the increasing capacity for
automated storage and processing of data relating to subscribers and users.
…
(11)
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Like [Directive 95/46], this Directive does not address issues of protection of fundamental
rights and freedoms related to activities which are not governed by Community law. Therefore it
does not alter the existing balance between the individual’s right to privacy and the possibility for
Member States to take the measures referred to in Article 15(1) of this Directive, necessary for
the protection of public security, defence, State security (including the economic well-being of
the State when the activities relate to State security matters) and the enforcement of criminal law.
Consequently, this Directive does not affect the ability of Member States to carry out lawful
interception of electronic communications, or take other measures, if necessary for any of these
purposes and in accordance with the [Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and
Fundamental Freedoms, signed in Rome on 4 November 1950], as interpreted by the rulings of
the European Court of Human Rights. Such measures must be appropriate, strictly proportionate
to the intended purpose and necessary within a democratic society and should be subject to
adequate safeguards in accordance with the … Convention for the Protection of Human Rights
and Fundamental Freedoms.’
Article 1 of that directive, entitled ‘Scope and aim’, provides:
‘1.
This Directive provides for the harmonisation of the national provisions required to ensure an
equivalent level of protection of fundamental rights and freedoms, and in particular the right to privacy
and confidentiality, with respect to the processing of personal data in the electronic communication
sector and to ensure the free movement of such data and of electronic communication equipment and
services in the Community.
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