Plaid MEP Jill Evans has given a cautious welcome to this week's first reading vote on updating telecoms legislation in the European Parliament. The MEP said she thought it important that the law should keep a balance between the need for adequate regulation of the internet and people's right to a private life. Ms Evans co-sponsored an amendment to the legislation calling for proper judicial oversight and safeguards in relation to regulation of the internet other than in specific special cases.

MEPs meeting in Brussels were voting to update European Union telecommunications legislation which dates from 2002. The more controversial points of the draft legislation concern measures to police the internet and to deal with data protection and user privacy.

MEPs voted to strengthen consumer rights and privacy protection, and the legislation foresees setting up a new European body to co-ordinate the work of telecoms regulators in the member states.

Speaking after the vote in Brussels, Jill Evans said:

"This decision reflects a balance between individual rights and freedoms and the need to regulate the internet. It will now be up to EU Governments to respond to the points we've made, particularly about data protection and the right to a private life.

"I have been contacted by many constituents concerned about the possible privacy implications of this legislation.

"We have supported measures to protect individuals' fundamental rights, which will also apply to private networks and social networking sights such as Facebook and Myspace".