Abstract: The paper aims to analyze the effects that the regime of mass surveillance may have on the protection of fundamental rights (in particular the right to privacy and freedom of information) by intercepting communications, exchanging information with foreign governments and obtaining information from service providers, issues analyzed in the most recent judgment of the European Court of Human Rights - Big Brother Watch and Others v. the United Kingdom (September 13th, 2018).

Keywords: electronic communications, private life, procedural guarantees, confidentiality