Four big telecom firms 'keep details of clients' internet use

DutchNews.nl, Thursday 04 July 2013

(ANP)

The four big Dutch telecoms companies - KPN, Tele2, T-Mobile and Vodafone - have been breaking privacy legislation by storing details about their clients' internet use.

The Dutch privacy watchdog CBP has been investigating the storage of personal data gleaned through 'deep package inspection' for two years and says the big four firms have been keeping details for far longer than necessary.

'This is serious,' CBP board member Wilbert Tomesen said in a statement. DPI allows providers to monitor which websites clients visit and what apps they use.

Tele2

KPN has since destroyed all the records and T-Mobile and Vodafone have partly done so. Tele2 has the 'most difficulty in complying with the law', Tomesen said. The company has also been using the information for market research, which is against the law, the CPB said.

Tele2 said in a reaction it wished to discuss the matter with the CPB to try to reach a solution which is acceptable to everyone.

The CPB is to distribute its findings to other European privacy watchdogs.

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