European privacy laws 'should apply to Facebook and Twitter'

US-based social-networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter should be governed by EU privacy laws, EU Commissioner Viviane Reding has said.

Speaking at a Privacy Platform meeting in Brussels, Reding said that the privacy of European citizens online should be ensured regardless of where a social network is based.

"They should apply whatever the geographical location of the service provider and whatever technical means used to provide the service." Reding said.

She also said that the responsibility for allowing data collection should rest with social networks, not users.

Detailing the 'four pillars' for data privacy, Reding also said that websites needed to be more transparent about how they use data and how they protect user privacy.

She continued by saying that configuring privacy settings often requires considerable effort from the user, which could be confusing.

Outlining a plan called 'privacy by default', Reding said that data should only be collected for the purpose originally specified by the user. In her speech to the Privacy Platform, she highlighted the use of software applications, such as those on Facebook, that can collect user data.

Reding said that data privacy laws also needed to be better enforced. In order to do this she said greater powers would be given to national data protection authorities in EU member states. Making reference to privacy privacy concerns surrounding Google Streetview, Reding said that more needed to be done.

"In recent months, you may have heard about concerns in many EU Member States related to online mapping services including pictures of streets and people's homes. A more co-ordinated approach at EU level is needed to address such cases in a consistent and effective way.

"Our data protection reform will be key in adapting the rules to the all-encompassing digital world in which we live."

The European Commission (EC) is already taking action against the UK Government, arguing that the Data Protection Act does not properly utilise EU law. In September 2010 the EC said it was planning to take court action against the UK over privacy violations