WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1401/98 by Gerhard HAGER to the Commission. Cyberpolice
Date: 1998-05-07
Institutions: European Parliament, HAGER
Subjects: communications systems, computer crime, computer network, computer piracy, confidentiality, data protection, database, information network, protection of communications, transmission network

18.1.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 13/31

The expenditure incurred by the Greek authorities amounted to ECU 205 million at the end of May 1998, i.e. 32 %
of the OP(cid:146)s total budget. On the basis of the Greek authorities(cid:146) forecasts, the full amount of ECU 639,67 million
will have been spent by the end of 2001, which is the deadline for payments under the CSF.

Negotiations between the Commission and the Greek government for the CSF III have not yet started. At this
stage, we can therefore only confirm that priority will be given in the negotiations to the completion of the
Thessaloniki-Athens-Patras line.

(1999/C 13/042)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1401/98

by Gerhard Hager (NI) to the Commission

(7 May 1998)

Subject: Cyberpolice

According to press reports, a form of (cid:145)cyberpolice(cid:146) is being set up in the United States. Its purpose is to counteract
the threat posed by hackers and their ability to use their personal computers to penetrate protected databases.
There are also increasing reports of hacker activity in Europe, where the threat posed is rising with the growing
economic interconnectedness made possible by the Internet.

1.

2.

Is the Commission also making efforts to set up any such form of Europe-wide (cid:145)cyberpolice(cid:146)?

If so, what progress has been recorded and with what substantive results?

Answer given by Mrs Gradin on behalf of the Commission

(16 July 1998)

The Commission is not considering the creation of a (cid:145)cyberpolice(cid:146) or any other kind of Europe-wide police force.

The Commission is, however, aware of the seriousness of the threats posed by hackers described by the
Honourable Member and other type of improper use of computer networks technology and it is, in the context of
the group of eight most industrialised nations (G8) and of the Union as well as in the framework of the Council of
Europe, looking at ways to ensuring an efficient public protection, in particular against the use of new means of
telecommunication for the benefit of criminal organisations.

In this context, and following on a recommendation contained in the Union action plan to combat organised
crime, the Commission launched a study on the subject of criminality liked to high technology. The findings and
eventual follow-up of this study are currently under discussion in the Commission. The study is found under
address http://www.qlinks.net/comdocs/washcomm.htm. The G8 communiquØ is found under http://www2.e-
cho.lu/legal/en/comcrime/sieber.html.

For further information the Commission would also refer the Honourable Member to its answer to written
question No 1510/98 by Mr Robles Piquer (1).

(1) See page 38.

(1999/C 13/043)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1402/98

by Gerhard Hager (NI) to the Commission

(7 May 1998)

Subject: Enfopol

According to press reports, an organization known as (cid:145)Enfopol(cid:146) has been set up at European level under the third
pillar which, it is claimed, will have a far-reaching impact on technological development with fundamental