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ChipMixer Taken Down
ChipMixer, an unlicensed cryptocurrency mixer, was taken down by German and US authoritieson 15 March 2023, with help from Europol, Belgium, Poland, and Switzerland. The platform, which was set up in 2017, specialised in mixing/cutting trails related to virtual currency assets, making it attractive … Read more
Cornelia Riehle LL.M.
EU
Europol
Money Laundering
ECtHR: Grand Chamber Reinforces Protection of Whistleblowers
With its Grand Chamber judgment of 14 February 2023 in the case Halet v. Luxembourg (application no. 21884/18), the ECtHR put an end to the long-lasting legal battle between one of the whistleblowers who triggered the LuxLeaks scandal and the state of Luxembourg. While previous judgments denied the defence of whistle-blower status according to Art. 10 ECHR (freedom of expression), the ECtHR’s Grand Chamber decided in the opposite and found a violation of Art. 10 ECHR. Read more
Dr. András Csúri
Council of Europe
Victim Protection
ECJ: Individual Reasons Not Necessary for Telecommunications Surveillance
On 15 February 2023, the ECJ delivered a judgment on the individualisation of the obligation to state reasons for a judicial authorisation of telephone surveillance measures. It was issued in relation to the Bulgarian court practice of using a pre-drafted general text template to justify a decision on telephone interception. According to the ECJ, this practice is in line with the Directive on privacy and electronic communications under certain conditions. Read more
Dr. Anna Pingen
EU
Procedural Safeguards
OLAF Fosters Cooperation with State Audit Service of Ukraine
On 27 March 2023, OLAF Director-General Ville Itälä signed an administrative cooperation arrangement with the State Audit Service of Ukraine (SAS). The SAS is the national contact point for cooperation with OLAF. The arrangement will facilitate the exchange of information and cooperation in investigative activities. … Read more
Thomas Wahl
EU
OLAF
Council Emphasises Civic Space in Protecting and Promoting Fundamental Rights
On 10 March, the JHA Council adopted conclusions on the role of the civic space in protecting and promoting fundamental rights in the EU. The conclusions emphasise the essential role freedom of association plays in ensuring a democratic and pluralist society and the proper functioning … Read more
EU
Fundamental Rights
EDPB Launches First Coordinated Enforcement Action
On 15 February 2023, the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) launched a coordinated enforcement action for the first time. The first coordinated enforcement action focuses on the use of cloud-based services by the public sector. Under the action, 22 supervisory authorities, including the European Data … Read more
EU
Data Protection
CJEU's 2022 Judicial Stats
In its judicial statistics for 2022, the CJEU stated that proceedings were marked by the major issues facing today’s world (the rule of law, the environment, the protection of privacy in the digital era and so forth) and by the restrictive measures adopted by the European Union in the context of the war in Ukraine. Read more
EU
European Court of Justice (ECJ)
GRECO: Fifth Round Evaluation Report on Bosnia and Herzegovina
On 9 March 2023 GRECO published its fifth round evaluation report on Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The country joined GRECO in 2000 and initially had a positive track record of implementing GRECO recommendations; however, the trend has been declining. While 83.3% of the recommendations were ultimately implemented after the first evaluation round, full implementation of recommendations declined to 43.7% in the second and to 45.4% in the third evaluation rounds. Read more
Council of Europe
Corruption
GRECO: Fifth Round Evaluation Report on Austria
On 1 March 2023, GRECO published its fifth round evaluation report on Austria. The country has been a member of GRECO since 2006, implementing 67% of the recommendations of the joint first and second evaluation rounds and 76% of the recommendations of the third evaluation round. Read more
Council of Europe
Corruption
E-evidence Framework: State of Play
This news item gives an overview of the recent developments regarding the finalisation of interinstitutional negotiations on the EU rules to gather e-evidence in criminal matters. Negotiations on a legal framework between the EU and the USA on this matter were resumed in March 2023. Read more
EU
e-Evidence
Law Enforcement Cooperation
OLAF Gets Access to Spanish Notaries’ Data
On 22 March 2023, OLAF signed a cooperation agreement with the General Council of Notaries of Spain (CGN). The core feature of the agreement is that OLAF will be enabled to have access to the data of the CGN’s Centralized Body for the Prevention of … Read more
EU
OLAF
Referral of 8 Member States to CJEU Over Protection of Whistleblowers
On 15 February 2023, the Commission decided to refer the Czech Republic, Germany, Estonia, Spain, Italy, Luxembourg, Hungary, and Poland to the Court of Justice for failing to transpose and notify national measures implementing the directive on the protection of persons who report breaches of … Read more
EU
Victim Protection
OLAF Signs Arrangements with US Authorities
On 20 March 2023, OLAF Director-General Ville Itälä signed two administrative cooperation arrangements with partners in the USA. The arrangement with the U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security sets out the framework for cooperation in the fight against customs fraud, in particular regarding trade … Read more
EU
OLAF
Upgraded Schengen Information System Went Live
On 07.03.2023, the renewed Schengen Information System (SIS) became operational. The information exchange system contains information on wanted or missing persons, third-country nationals without legal right of residence in the Union and lost or stolen objects (e.g. cars) and can now be used in 30 countries in Europe. Read more
EU
Schengen
Arrangement between EPPO and Hellenic Independent Authority of Public Revenues Signed
On 17 February 2023, the EPPO signed a working arrangement with the Hellenic Independent Authority of Public Revenues (IAPR). The arrangement aims to provide a structured framework for closer cooperation. Read more
EU
EPPO
Council Frames Ratification of CoE E-evidence Treaty by EU Member States
On 14 February 2023, the Council adopted a decision authorising Member States to ratify, in the interest of the EU, the Second Additional Protocol to the Convention on Cybercrime (Budapest Convention). The protocol will improve cross-border access to electronic evidence to be used in criminal proceedings. On 17 January 2023, the EP already gave its consent as required by the TFEU. Read more
EU
e-Evidence
Law Enforcement Cooperation