Risk assessment reports + Requests for information from Pornhub, XVideos, Stripchat
Sebastian Meineck a fait une demande de Accès à l'information à Réseaux de communication, contenu et technologies
Dear Communications Networks, Content and Technology,
Under the right of access to documents in the EU treaties, as developed in Regulation 1049/2001, I am requesting documents which contain the following information:
- requests for information (German: "Auskunftsersuchen")
- risk assessment reports (German: "Risikobewertungsberichte")
of the following three VLOPs according to the DSA:
- Pornhub
- XVideos
- Stripchat
Thanks for your work.
Best regards
netzpolitik.org — Medium für digitale Freiheitsrechte
Sebastian Meineck
Editor (he/him)
Dear Sir or Madam,
We are writing to you concerning your request for access to documents sent
on 14/06/2024 and registered on 19/06/2024 under case number 2024/3274.
Since you have not indicated your postal address, we are not able to start
handling your request. The 15 working days to reply to your request will
start running only when you send us your postal address.
You can send your postal address by replying to this e-mail. If we do not
receive your reply we may close this case.
Please note that you can submit a request for access to Commission
documents via the portal [1]'Request a Commission document', which does
not require you to indicate your postal address.
Why do we need your personal postal address?
Since 1 April 2014, the submission of a postal address became a mandatory
feature when submitting an application for access to Commission documents
via an e-mail. We would like to explain why we need your postal address in
order to register and handle your application for access to documents when
submitted via e-mail:
• Firstly, to obtain legal certainty as regards the date you received
the European Commission reply to your application for public access to
documents. Article 297 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the
European Union (TFEU) states that 'decisions which specify to whom
they are addressed, shall be notified to those to whom they are
addressed and shall take effect upon such notification.' In line with
this provision, if the Commission does not grant full access to the
requested documents, it notifies the reply to the applicant via
registered mail with acknowledgement of receipt or via delivery
service. This requires an indication of a valid postal address by the
applicant;
• Secondly, to apply correctly the [2]Data Protection Regulation (EU)
2018/1725. Knowing whether the applicant is an EU resident (or not) is
necessary for deciding which conditions shall apply for the
transmissions of personal data to applicants for access to documents.
These conditions are not the same for recipients established in the
Union and for recipients in third countries. As the vast majority of
the documents requested contain personal data, the Commission cannot
ensure the correct application of the data protection rules in the
absence of a postal address;
• Thirdly, to apply correctly [3]Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001. Article
4(1)(b) of that Regulation refers to the protection of the privacy and
integrity of the individual and has to be applied in line with the
Data Protection Regulation;
• Fourthly, to protect the interest of other citizens and safeguard the
principle of good administration. The Commission has to treat all
citizens equally by ensuring that the legal framework for public
access to documents is respected. For example, it has to verify
whether Article 6(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 is being evaded
by introducing several requests under different identities. Indeed, in
its Ryanair judgment ([4]EU:T:2010:511), the General Court confirmed
that Article 6(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 cannot be evaded by
splitting an application into several, seemingly separate, parts. In
addition, the Commission has to make sure that the legal framework is
respected and the right of access to documents is not abused by making
requests under an invented identity.
The considerations above show that the request for and the consequent
processing of the applicant's postal address is not only appropriate, but
also strictly necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the
public interest within the meaning of Article 5(1)(a) of Data Protection
Regulation, namely providing a smooth and effective access to documents.
Yours faithfully,
Secretariat-General - Access to Documents
European Commission
References
Visible links
1. https://www.ec.europa.eu/transparency/do...
2. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/...
3. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/...
4. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/...
Dear Communications Networks, Content and Technology,
my postal adress is:
netzpolitik.org e.V.
Boyenstraße 41
10115 Berlin
Yours faithfully
Sebastian Meineck
Your message has been received by the Transparency Unit of the
Secretariat-General of the European Commission.
Requests for public access to documents are treated on the basis of
[1]Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 of 30 May 2001 regarding public access to
European Parliament, Council and Commission documents.
The Secretariat-General will reply to your request within 15 working days
upon registration of your request and will duly inform you of the
registration of the request (or of any additional information to be
provided in view of its registration and/or treatment).
L’unité «Transparence» du secrétariat général de la Commission européenne
a bien reçu votre message.
Les demandes d’accès du public aux documents sont traitées sur la base du
[2]règlement (CE) n° 1049/2001 du 30 mai 2001 relatif à l’accès du public
aux documents du Parlement européen, du Conseil et de la Commission.
Le secrétariat général répondra à votre demande dans un délai de 15 jours
ouvrables à compter de la date d’enregistrement de votre demande, et vous
informera de cet enregistrement (ou vous indiquera toute information
supplémentaire à fournir en vue de l'enregistrement et/ou du traitement de
votre demande).
Ihre Nachricht ist beim Referat „Transparenz“ des Generalsekretariats der
Europäischen Kommission eingegangen.
Anträge auf Zugang zu Dokumenten werden auf der Grundlage der
[3]Verordnung (EG) Nr. 1049/2001 vom 30. Mai 2001 über den Zugang der
Öffentlichkeit zu Dokumenten des Europäischen Parlaments, des Rates und
der Kommission behandelt.
Das Generalsekretariat beantwortet Ihre Anfrage innerhalb von
15 Arbeitstagen nach deren Registrierung und wird Sie über die
Registrierung Ihres Antrags (oder die Notwendigkeit weiterer Informationen
im Hinblick auf dessen Registrierung und/oder Bearbeitung) unterrichten.
References
Visible links
1. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/...
2. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/...
3. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/...
Dear Sir or Madam,
We hereby acknowledge the receipt of your request for access to documents
sent on 14/06/2024 and registered on 19/06/2024 under the case number
2024/3274.
We will handle your request within 15 working days as of the date of
registration. The time-limit expires on 10/07/2024. We will let you know
if we need to extend this time limit for additional 15 working days.
To find more information on how we process your personal data, please see
[1]the privacy statement.
Yours faithfully,
Secretariat-General - Access to Documents
European Commission
References
Visible links
1. https://ec.europa.eu/info/principles-and...
Hello,
Please find attached a message concerning your request for access to
Commission documents registered under the above case number 2024/3274.
Please acknowledge the receipt of this message by return email.
Kind regards,
DG CONNECT Access to documents Team
Dear DG CONNECT Access to documents Team,
the rejection of this request is inappropriate in this case, as the public interest significantly outweighs any reasons for denial. The subject matter involves some of the most visited and least regulated websites globally—pornographic sites.
1. First and foremost, the right to sexual self-determination is a fundamental human right. Individuals have the right to make informed decisions about their sexual activities and boundaries. The lack of transparency and regulation on pornographic sites undermines this right by exposing users, often unknowingly, to potentially harmful content and practices. Therefore, public access to information about how these sites operate and the measures they take (or fail to take) to protect users is vital for safeguarding this fundamental right.
2. Furthermore, image-based violence, including the non-consensual distribution of intimate images, is a severe violation of personal rights and dignity. Victims of such actions suffer profound emotional and psychological harm. Transparency about the policies and practices of these websites is necessary to hold them accountable and to ensure they are taking adequate steps to prevent such abuses. The public has a vested interest in understanding how these platforms handle content moderation and protect user privacy to advocate for better protections and legal measures.
3. Pornographic websites have been linked to instances of human trafficking and exploitation. Without stringent oversight and transparency, it is challenging to identify and combat these illegal activities. Public access to information about these websites’ policies and practices is essential for monitoring and preventing the exploitation of vulnerable individuals.
4. The pornographic industry is a significant economic force, generating substantial revenue. However, the lack of regulation can result in unfair practices, such as the exploitation of performers, unfair pay, and unsafe working conditions. Public scrutiny and transparency can help ensure fair labor practices within the industry, promoting economic justice and equity.
5. Pornographic websites often collect vast amounts of data from users, including personal and sensitive information. There is a significant risk of data breaches and misuse of personal data. Transparency about how these sites manage user data and the measures they take to protect privacy is essential for safeguarding individual rights in the digital age.
6. Pornographic websites have historically operated with a significant lack of transparency, often deliberately obscuring their practices, policies, and the identities of those who run them. This persistent opacity raises concerns about what they might be trying to hide, such as unethical practices, insufficient user protections, or even illegal activities. It is crucial that regulatory bodies, including the EU, do not inadvertently aid these sites in maintaining their secrecy. By denying the request, the EU would effectively be complicit in allowing these platforms to continue operating in the shadows, away from public scrutiny and accountability. Instead, the EU should champion transparency and the public's right to know, ensuring that these powerful entities are held accountable and that their operations are brought into the light. This approach aligns with the EU's broader commitment to upholding democratic values, protecting individual rights, and promoting corporate responsibility.
In a democratic society, businesses and industries are accountable to the public and must operate within legal and ethical boundaries. The pornographic industry is no exception. Ensuring transparency allows for the identification and rectification of legal and ethical violations, promoting accountability and integrity within the industry.
By denying the request, the authorities are hindering the public's ability to engage in informed debate and to hold these powerful entities accountable. The fundamental rights to information and to participate in the democratic process are compromised when transparency is not upheld. Public oversight is essential to ensure that these sites operate within the boundaries of the law and ethical standards, particularly given their extensive reach and influence.
In summary, the rejection of the request is unjustifiable because the public interest in ensuring the protection of sexual autonomy and preventing image-based violence is paramount. Transparency is critical for the public to advocate for necessary regulations and to protect the rights and dignity of affected individuals. For these reasons, I kindly ask for a re-evaluation.
Best thanks for your work.
With kind regards,
Sebastian Meineck
Your message has been received by the Transparency Unit of the
Secretariat-General of the European Commission.
Requests for public access to documents are treated on the basis of
[1]Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 of 30 May 2001 regarding public access to
European Parliament, Council and Commission documents.
The Secretariat-General will reply to your request within 15 working days
upon registration of your request and will duly inform you of the
registration of the request (or of any additional information to be
provided in view of its registration and/or treatment).
L’unité «Transparence» du secrétariat général de la Commission européenne
a bien reçu votre message.
Les demandes d’accès du public aux documents sont traitées sur la base du
[2]règlement (CE) n° 1049/2001 du 30 mai 2001 relatif à l’accès du public
aux documents du Parlement européen, du Conseil et de la Commission.
Le secrétariat général répondra à votre demande dans un délai de 15 jours
ouvrables à compter de la date d’enregistrement de votre demande, et vous
informera de cet enregistrement (ou vous indiquera toute information
supplémentaire à fournir en vue de l'enregistrement et/ou du traitement de
votre demande).
Ihre Nachricht ist beim Referat „Transparenz“ des Generalsekretariats der
Europäischen Kommission eingegangen.
Anträge auf Zugang zu Dokumenten werden auf der Grundlage der
[3]Verordnung (EG) Nr. 1049/2001 vom 30. Mai 2001 über den Zugang der
Öffentlichkeit zu Dokumenten des Europäischen Parlaments, des Rates und
der Kommission behandelt.
Das Generalsekretariat beantwortet Ihre Anfrage innerhalb von
15 Arbeitstagen nach deren Registrierung und wird Sie über die
Registrierung Ihres Antrags (oder die Notwendigkeit weiterer Informationen
im Hinblick auf dessen Registrierung und/oder Bearbeitung) unterrichten.
References
Visible links
1. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/...
2. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/...
3. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/...
Dear Sir or Madam,
We hereby acknowledge the receipt of your confirmatory request for case
2024/3274, sent on 23/07/2024 and registered on 23/07/2024.
We will handle your confirmatory request within 15 working days as of the
date of registration. The time-limit expires on 13/08/2024. We will let
you know if we need to extend this time limit for additional 15 working
days.
Yours faithfully,
Secretariat-General - Access to Documents
European Commission
Hello,
We are writing concerning your confirmatory request for access to
Commission documents for case 2024/3274 registered on 23/7/2024.
We are currently working on your confirmatory request. However, we have
not yet been able to gather all the elements necessary to carry out a full
analysis of your request. We will not be able to send you the reply within
the prescribed time limit expiring on 13/8/2024.
Therefore, in line with Article 8(2) of [1]Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 we
need to extend this time limit by 15 additional working days. The new time
limit expires on 4/9/2024.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Kind regards,
Secretariat-General
SG.C1 - Access to Documents Team
References
Visible links
1. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/...
Dear Communications Networks, Content and Technology,
Please pass this on to the person who reviews confirmatory applications.
I am filing the following confirmatory application with regards to my access to documents request 'Risk assessment reports + Requests for information from Pornhub, XVideos, Stripchat'.
A detailed justification for the disclosure of the requested information was drawn up in compliance with fundamental rights. An additional extension of the deadline by a further 15 days was requested and granted. Even after the expiry of this additional period, no response was received. By law, under all circumstances, the authority should have responded by now.
A full history of my request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address: https://www.asktheeu.org/en/request/risk...
Respectfully awaiting your reply.
Best thanks for your work.
Sebastian Meineck