European Union. ePrivacy / marketing. Directive (EU) 97/66/EC
Telecoms Privacy Directive 97/66Directive 97/66/EC concerning the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in the telecommunications sector
§1Summary
- Synopsis
Directive 97/66/EC harmonised national rules on privacy and data protection in the telecommunications sector. It was a sector-specific complement to Directive 95/46/EC and dealt with matters such as the confidentiality of communications, traffic and billing data, itemised billing, calling-line identification, automatic call forwarding, subscriber directories and unsolicited calls. Directive 2002/58/EC repealed it with effect from 31 October 2003, and references to it were then read as references to the 2002 Directive.
- Key themes
- Unique features
The first EU instrument on telecoms privacy. It was written for traditional telecommunications networks, which is why it was replaced by a technology-neutral successor.
- SaaS relevance
Historical only; replaced by Directive 2002/58/EC (ePrivacy Directive).
§2Obligations
- Breach notification
- None
- DPO
- No
- Cross-border transfers
- None
- Maximum penalty
- None
§3Dates
- Key dates
- Adopted
- In force
- Ended
- Adopted 15 December 1997; published in the Official Journal 30 January 1998; Member States had to apply national laws by 24 October 1998; repealed with effect from 31 October 2003 by Directive 2002/58/EC
§4Text and authority
- Text
- Authoritative text eur-lex.europa.eu
- English text eur-lex.europa.eu
- Authority
- National data protection authorities (no EU-level regulator)
§5Where it applies
§6Sources and verification
- Sources consulted
- Verification
High confidence.
The Directive text contains no entry-into-force article of its own, so date_in_force is set to the 24 October 1998 deadline for national implementation (Article 15). Repeal date taken from Articles 17(1) and 19 of Directive 2002/58/EC (transposition deadline 'before 31 October 2003'). Penalties were left to Member States.