WRITTEN QUESTION E-1011/00 by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission. Computer hackers and security.
Date: 2000-03-31
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European social policy, common foreign and security policy, computer crime

C 53 E/56

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.2.2001

developed microbicides as an additional female-controlled way to prevent HIV transmission and further
research on how to organise control of tuberculosis, the first cause of mortality associated to AIDS, are
under way. The Commission intends to upgrade its research efforts substantially in the next future.

(1) COM(98) 407.

(2001/C 53 E/065)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1011/00

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

(31 March 2000)

Subject: Computer hackers and security

In recent weeks the international press has contained reports on the crimes committed by hackers, who
have broken into Internet sites in America in order to fraudulently obtain data and confidential codes and
to block use of the network. Similar events have also occurred in Europe.

Given the danger that such activities, which represent a genuine threat to the right to privacy and
confidentiality, may become more widespread:

(cid:129) has the Commission made provision for any measures to prevent the activities of these hackers?

(cid:129) has it taken measures to establish cooperation at international level on the development of projects

designed to counteract this criminal interference?

(cid:129) what proposals will it pt forward to improve the security of European operators and citizens using the

Internet

(cid:129) does it think funds should be made available to so that this matter can be included in research

programmes?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(22 May 2000)

One of the main challenges of the information society and one of the conditions for the success of
e-commerce is to ensure the confidence of users in the information communication networks.

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 (1) and
Directive 97/66/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 December 1997 concerning the
processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in the telecommunications sector (2) provide for
the implementation of appropriate security measures to protect personal data against accidental or
unlawful destruction, alteration or access which has not been authorised by those responsible for
processing personal data. It is for the Member States to adopt implementing measures and lay down the
sanctions to be imposed in cases of infringement. The Commission, assisted by the working party set up
by Article 29 of Directive 95/46/EC, ensures that these provisions are properly applied and among other
things carried out a verification of the correct transposition of Directive 97/66/EC as part of the 1999
review of the regulatory framework for communications. The Commission is planning to clarify and
update this to take account of technological progress.

The European Council, meeting in Tampere, stated its commitment to reinforcing the fight against
transnational crime and implementing the means for crime prevention and cooperation. At international
level, the Commission is monitoring the efforts made by the various international and supranational
In particular, the Council of Europe Committee of Experts on Crime in
organisations in this fight.
Cyberspace is preparing a convention on cyber crime; the United States, Canada, South Africa and Japan
are involved in this work. Moreover, the Ministers for Justice and Internal Affairs of the group of eight
leading industrial nations (G8) have approved an action plan to combat the use of the Internet and other
new technologies to carry out criminal activities. In this connection, a network of contact points which are
operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week, has been set up.

20.2.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 53 E/57

Moreover, the Commission has undertaken consultations with the Member States, the agencies responsible
for implementing legislation, industry and the authorities competent for the protection of personal data in
order to determine what measures should be proposed in this area at European level. A Commission
communication to Parliament and the Council is planned for July 2000.

As far as speculative or abusive reservation of Internet domain names ((cid:145)cybersquatting(cid:146)) is concerned, the
Commission indicated in its communication (cid:145)The organisation and management of
the Internet (cid:129)
international and European policy issues 1998-2000(cid:146) (3), that it intends to make a proposal for a code of
conduct or another appropriate instrument that would restrict the scope of current abuses in this area. In
addition, when formulating the registration policy for the proposed top level domain (cid:145)EU(cid:146), the Commission
will ensure that the possibilities for abuses in this domain are minimised.

As regards research, the Information Society technologies programme supports research and development
projects on technology and security and privacy infrastructures. In particular, the work programme for
2000 contains a heading under key action II which is intended to encourage technologies reinforcing
security, particularly those making it possible to prevent and combat abuses perpetrated through
infrastructures, such as fraud and criminal activities, as well as technologies aimed at reinforcing users
control over their personal data. These actions reinforce projects underway and the results already obtained
Infosec, AXTS or
from research projects funded under previous programmes such as Esprit, ETS,
Telematics.

(1) OJ L 281, 23.11.1995.
(2) OJ L 24, 30.1.1998.
(3) COM(2000) 202 final.

(2001/C 53 E/066)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1015/00

by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission

(4 April 2000)

Subject: Export of cattle to third countries

How may live cattle were exported from the EU to third countries in 1999, and how much was paid out
in export refunds for live cattle exports to third countries in the period from 16 October 1998 to
15 October 1999?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(19 May 2000)

In 1999, 323 000 live cattle were exported to third countries.

Export refunds for live cattle paid in the financial year 1999 totalled € 92,3 million.

(2001/C 53 E/067)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1016/00

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(4 April 2000)

Subject: Access to essential drugs in developing countries

Does the Commission agree that dealing with complex issues, such as access to essential drugs, within the
framework of
the WTO(cid:146)s Agreement on Trade-Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs), requires
substantial technical knowledge at national level?