What overarching principle is upheld by the EU Data Protection Directive?

The European Union Data Protection Directive emphasizes that privacy is considered a fundamental human right. This principle is rooted in the recognition that individuals have the right to control their personal information and to have their privacy respected. The Directive seeks to protect individuals' personal data and ensure that it is handled appropriately and securely.

By framing privacy as a fundamental human right, the Directive establishes a strong legal foundation for data protection practices across the EU, ensuring that individuals have rights concerning their personal data and can seek recourse in case of its misuse. This perspective has shaped a broad range of privacy laws and practices, influencing data protection regulations globally, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) that succeeded the Directive.

In contrast, the other options do not align with the core principles of the Directive. The idea of freely sharing data without consent undermines individual rights, prioritizing convenience over privacy. Business interests taking precedence over personal privacy directly contradicts the Directive's aim to protect individuals. Lastly, allowing organizations to dictate terms of data usage without regard for individual rights fails to uphold the principle of informed consent and individual control that is central to the Directive.