While acknowledging that the European Commission has a duty to protect its staff from undue influence, the Ombudsman has found that the institution should have more proactively and comprehensively explained its decision to restrict the publication of contact details in its ‘Whoiswho’ online EU staff directory.

The Ombudsman opened an inquiry into the issue after receiving a complaint from an organisation representing civil society organisations from across Europe. The complainant argued that the Commission’s decision undermined transparency and made it more difficult for the public to interact with the Commission.