Commission to review data protection

The European Commission is to examine whether European Union (EU) data protection laws place excessive constraints on exchange of information between anti-fraud regulators and police; it will propose liberalising these rules if necessary. The pledge came in a 2004-7 anti-fraud action plan that focuses on credit card and bank transfer payments. Under the plan Brussels would organise training for specialist law enforcement officers and explore setting up an EU contact point for identity theft. Further details are available at www.europa.eu.int/comm/internal_market/payments/frau d/index_en.htm