INTERNET : INTERNET GIANTS FREE TO DISCLOSE CYBER ATTACKS.

Can the EU force the likes of Google, Facebook or Amazon to let their users know they have been victims of cyber attacks? Are platforms selling applications responsible for the fraudulent use of data? The answer is 'no', according to members of the European Parliament's Committee on the Internal Market (IMCO), who adopted, on 23 January in Brussels, a report by Andreas Schwab (EPP, Germany) on cyber security in Europe.

The strategy for cyber security in Europe, proposed in February 2013 by the European Commission, would introduce a system whereby service providers and certain operators would be obliged to notify attacks. Telecoms operators are already forced to do so.

The proposed new system seems to relate to operators of "critical infrastructures" and "key enterprises" - two vague definitions the use of which MEPs were quick to restrict.

IMCO's position is that only providers of infrastructures vital to the economy or security would be subject to the notification obligation. These are suppliers of: electricity and gas, transport, credit institutions, financial market infrastructures and health services. Conversely, online trading platforms, internet payment gateways, social networks, search engines and cloud computing services would inform the authorities of security incidents "on a voluntary basis". In other words, it is up to the internet giants to decide when they wish - or do not...

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