Each year since 1997, the US-based Electronic Privacy Information Center and the UK-based Privacy International have undertaken what has now become the most comprehensive survey of global privacy ever published. The most recent report, published in 2007 is probably the most comprehensive single volume report published in the human rights field. The lowest ranking countries in the survey continue to be Malaysia, Russia and China. The highest-ranking countries in 2007 are Greece, Romania and Canada. The 2006 leader, Germany, slipped significantly in the 2007 rankings, dropping from 1st to 7th place behind Portugal and Slovenia.

It’s pretty dismal. Basically, no country in the world presents a healthy environment for people who care about their privacy.

Leading surveillance societies in the EU and the World 2007

About Romania

  • Constitutional right under Articles 26, 27 and 28
  • Comprehensive privacy law
  • Data Privacy Authority has run public education campaigns in 2006 and 2007, and issues guidelines; and issued security breach rules for telecommunications providers
  • Interception is authorised by General Prosecutor of the Office related to the Supreme Court, and individuals can appeal to the Commissions of Human Rights of the two Chambers of Parliament, with careful reporting schemes; though abuses still occur
  • Draft retention law has not yet been approved, but proposes 12 month period of retention without any explanatory reports; though access is only permitted in combating organized crime and terrorism investigations, with judicial authorisation
  • Ratified Cybercrime convention

    • [Via: Privacy International]