Luxembourg data protection commissioner confirms Skype probe

(CS) Luxembourg's data protection commissioner Gérard Lommel on Friday afternoon confirmed an investigation into the activities of Skype in the Grand Duchy, following concerns over data protection.

Speaking to wort.lu's partner radio station DNR, Lommel said: “I confirm that we are conducting an investigation into the activities of Skype. I also confirm that the investigation into Skype's activities concerns the supply of data of Skype users to secret services.”

The Guardian had earlier on Friday reported that the internet calling company with its HQ in Luxembourg was being probed for passing on user information to NSA surveillance programme Prism.

The president of the national data protection commission confirmed to Radio DNR that he had spoken to the UK newspaper, but that he was unable to provide details on an ongoing investigation.

Complaint prompted investigation

In the DNR interview he did reveal, however, that the probe was launched after the data protection commission had received a complaint.

“We received a complaint and are obliged by law to look into such complaints,” he said. “Our mission is to ensure that Luxembourg law is followed.”

Based on information by Edward Snowden, the Guardian had revealed earlier this year that Skype had provided the NSA with content from Skype calls. Previously, the Microsoft-owned business had admitted to supplying non-content information to the security agency, such as SkypeID numbers, email addresses and some call record details.

However, even the latter activity could be illegal under Luxembourg law, which is strict on the right to privacy and allows the passing on of personal data to third parties only under very strict limitations.

Microsoft has not yet released a statement on the investigation.