EU data-protection controller: Right to privacy is not absolute

The EU's recently appointed data-protection controller, Peter Hustinx, says that the right to privacy is not absolute - but that it deserves respect.

Hustinx, who took on the mantle of data guardian for the EU in January, cut his teeth with the Dutch data-protection authority and now looks after issues ranging from the transfer of passenger data between the EU and the US to ensuring that the governmental bodies across Europe are conforming to data-protection standards.

Hustinx maintains, however, that when it comes to protecting data, "it's wrong to say the right to privacy is absolute."

But that doesn't mean it doesn't deserve to be respected. "There has been a lot of discussion about strengthening security and the investigation services' powers after 11 September… it's extremely important to find a good balance."

"We have the European convention on human rights and we have to ask ourselves questions with that in mind. What is necessary? In proportion? Can we get the same result by other means? What are the side effects? It's by asking ourselves these questions that we can come to the conclusion that security is best served when [privacy] is preserved," he said.

Christine Tréguier writes for ZDNet France