New justice priorities under the ‘Stockholm Programme'
On the 20th of April 2010, the European Commission has highlighted its main measures for 'Stockholm Programme' which aims to harmonise and rectify current EU justice and home affairs policies. This programme is an measure that was introduced by the Swedish EU Presidency in 2009. It contains 170 initiatives that aims to develop EU policy in areas which include criminal and civil law co operation.
The programme, which was approved by EU leaders during a summit in December 2009, is meant to take the place of the previous justice agenda known as the Hague Programme. Data protection and security are included amongst the twenty measures that the Commission directs its focus on in the area of justice and home affairs in the future years.
Under the field of data protection, Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding has encouraged a review of the 1995 EU Data Protection Directive which currently does not encompass current developing trends. These are privacy or data protection issues associated with social networks, search engines and online advertisers and moreover with internet privacy.
For instance, if data protection measures were strengthened it would mean there would be stricter controls on advertisers using that personal information. In addition, it would regulate the large amount of information on Facebook usually posted by many young people.
Previously, Reading has stated that the fundamental right of data protection will be on of the main priorities during a hearing with the European Parliament. She also led a Data Protection Day in January 2010 where she focused on the issue of online privacy.
In the area of security, as well as wanting to establish a strategy looking to enhance civil protection, criminal judicial cooperation and police cooperation with a 2010 communication, the Commission has further plans. For example, the Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmström has demonstrated a strong interest in criminalising identity theft. She aims to do this with the release of a legislative proposal in 2012.
Other measures which were considered in this programme include asylum seekers' rights and civil rights which aim to provide clarification of the rules on cross border divorces.