TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 4 I. JURISDICTION ISSUES ................................................................................................. 4 II. Data-protection and retention issues relevant for the Internet .................................... 7 (1) The scope of Article 8 and personal data ....................................................................................... 7 (2) Basic principles in respect of data storage as set out in the Court’s case-law .............................. 9 (3) Data retrieved following surveillance .......................................................................................... 10 (4) The taking and retention of fingerprint or cellular material and the storage of DNA profiles .... 11 (5) Storage of other personal data on public databases .................................................................... 12 (6) Data protection with specific reference to the Internet ................................................................ 14 III. Internet and freedom of expression ............................................................................... 17 (1) The Court’s general principles concerning freedom of expression apply to the Internet ............ 17 (2) Interpretation of the Convention “in the light of present-day conditions” must take into account the specific nature of the Internet as a “modern means of imparting information” .................... 22 (a) Principles .................................................................................................................................................... 22 (b) Limits .......................................................................................................................................................... 23 (3) Restrictions that might prove necessary in the Internet context (Article 10 § 2) ......................... 24 (4) The “duties and responsibilities” of an Internet news portal as regards online comments posted by users ........................................................................................................................................ 27 (5) Press publications on the Internet: reinforcement of journalists’ “duties and responsibilities” . 29 (6) Higher level of protection of freedom of expression in the area of political, militant and polemical expression on the Internet ........................................................................................... 32 (a) Principles .................................................................................................................................................... 32 (b) Extent of admissible political criticism ....................................................................................................... 32 (c) Limits to admissible criticism ..................................................................................................................... 32 (7) The chilling effect on freedom of expression ................................................................................