The rapid development of the internet and associated technology has brought numerous advantages and disadvantages. Some have found a relief in expedited communication with their families, friends and loved ones over any distance. Others have taken advantage of online shopping or reading the news and keeping themselves informed with a level of detail, timeliness and variety that was impossible decades ago.

The most immediate threat to individuals on the internet is normal cybercrime

However, the internet has a dark side. Many users have been victim of successful cybercrime and almost every internet user has been the victim of attempted cybercrime, whether or not they are aware of it.

Cybercrime takes many forms, commonly fraud, and has tricked millions of people into allowing access to their bank accounts or revealing personal financial information. The EU and many governments treat cybercrime as a serious legal concern. The EU has passed laws specific to cyber attacks, given the unique nature of the internet.

The actions of governments add another layer of complexity to this law enforcement challenge. The world was recently exposed to new revelations about the US data surveillance programme, Prism.

A number of MEPs participated in a debate on the recent topic during the last Strasbourg session. A significant question arose in the debate: does this US surveillance programme breach EU data protection rights or basic human rights?

Prism has been used as a tool by America’s National Security Agency to identify terrorists since 2007 but details about it were recently leaked and it became a hot topic.

The American Government admitted that the NSA would use Prism to collect the data of non-US citizens through websites such as Google, Facebook and YouTube. During the debate over Prism, MEPs expressed concern about the fact that such a surveillance tool targets non-US citizens, including EU citizens, and may be against the EU’s data protection policy.

American politicians, including President Barack Obama, have tried to assuage Americans’ concerns about privacy by emphasising that the programme treats citizens and non-citizens differently. This has infuriated many MEPs and European commissioners who think that the US and the EU need to have the same standards and protections for everyone, regardless of nationality.

EU data protection laws have existed since 1995 and will soon be reformed to adapt to the rapidly evolving nature of the internet.

Although the planned changes in European law focus primarily on hackers, fraudsters and other criminals, the actions of the US and other governments have become increasingly relevant.

The potential danger that Prism and other tools impose on EU citizens’ privacy rights was further addressed at the EU-US ministerial meeting in Dublin last Friday. However, no consensus was reached on the topic.

It is far too early to judge whether Prism is in breach of the EU’s data protection laws. Many European citizens have felt targeted by the tool since Obama’s announcement that it specifically scrutinises non-US citizens.

In the meantime, it is up to us, as individuals, to determine our personal reactions.

It is almost impossible to use the internet regularly while avoiding the US web infrastructure, even if one could avoid using popular American internet services. Even if Prism is an offensive intrusion on privacy, the most immediate threat to individuals on the internet is normal cybercrime.

The costs of cybercrime for Europe sum up to billions of euros every year, leading MEPs to propose stricter penalties for this type of crime.

There is still much work to be done but, judging by what the Commission and the EP have announced, cyber attacks will be seriously targeted and punished.

Nevertheless, there is a limit to what the law can do and individuals must also use simple methods of protecting themselves.

The vast majority of cybercrime does not rely on complicated hacking techniques, nor government programs, but exploits personal information that people leave online.

People should always be careful on the internet, especially when asked about passwords or financial information.

In the meantime, the European Parliament will continue to monitor the Prism issue as more information is revealed. More attention should be paid to security developments on the internet.

David Casa is a Nationalist MEP.