The Court of Justice and the Ban on Bulk Data Retention: Expansive Potential and Future Scenarios

Abstract

Data retention saga – Interpretative strategy of the Court of Justice – Expansive potential of the principles set by the Court of Justice – ‘Reverse’ effet utile and conflict of competence – EU acts under threat – Domino effect on national security measures – Future scenarios – Twilight of the model of bulk data retention – Modulation of the ban on bulk data retention according to the vulnerability of data processing or depending on the prior unknowability of the threats – Divergence from the European Court of Human Rights – Legitimisation of bulk data retention ‘ Equo ne credite, Teucri! Quidquid id est, timeo Danaos et dona ferentes ’ — Virgil, Aeneid , II, 48-49