Electronic communications: processing of personal data, protection of privacy

The European Parliament voted by 204 to 129 with 155 abstentions to refer the draft directive on privacy protection in electronic communication back to its Committee on Citizen's Freedoms and Rights, Justice and Home Affairs for further debate on a compromise. Therefore, the report drafted by Mr Marco CAPPATO (TGI, I) was rejected. At issue was the question of spamming - the sending of unsolicited junk mail. The House adopted by 259 votes in favour, 210 against and 6 abstentions an amendment that would prohibit it without prior permission of subscribers - the so-called 'opt-in system'. However, the end result of all the different amendments adopted individually was unacceptable to a majority of MEPs.�