Paul Meller

European data protection authorities concluded this week that Microsoft Corp.

European data protection authorities concluded this week that Microsoft Corp.'s .Net Passport online authentication system does risk breaching European Union privacy laws, and said that they would continue to study issues raised by the service. E.U. officials did not say that a formal investigation would be launched, however.

European data protection watchdogs have played down reports that they might add music-playing software to a list of PC devices they fear breach E.U. data protection laws.

Bowing to a hawkish mood that has gripped European policy makers since September 11, the European Parliament Thursday voted in a new European Union data protection law that civil liberty campaigners and industry representatives condemn.

The European Commission has set new targets for broadband Internet penetration in the European Union, especially in the public sector, Commissioner for Enterprise and the Information Society Erkki Liikanen said Wednesday.

The European Parliament is expected to back a controversial new law on data protection in a vote on Thursday, amid fierce opposition from telecommunications companies, ISPs (Internet service providers) and civil rights groups.

The European Commission is investigating whether Microsoft Corp.'s .Net Passport breaches European privacy laws, a spokesman confirmed Monday.

The European Commission is investigating whether Microsoft Corp.'s .Net Passport breaches European privacy laws, a spokesman confirmed Monday.