European Commission and United States agree on new framework for transatlantic data flows: EU-US Privacy Shield

The European Commission and the United States have agreed on a new framework for transatlantic data flows: the EU-US Privacy Shield. Today, the College of Commissioners approved the political agreement reached and has mandated Vice-President Ansip and Commissioner Jourová to prepare the necessary steps to put in place the new arrangement.

This new framework will protect the fundamental rights of Europeans where their data is transferred to the United States and ensure legal certainty for businesses. (…)

Vice-President Ansip said: “We have agreed on a new strong framework on data flows with the US. Our people can be sure that their personal data is fully protected. Our businesses, especially the smallest ones, have the legal certainty they need to develop their activities across the Atlantic. We have a duty to check and we will closely monitor the new arrangement to make sure it keeps delivering. Today’s decision helps us build a Digital Single Market in the EU, a trusted and dynamic online environment; it further strengthens our close partnership with the US. We will work now to put it in place as soon as possible.”

Commissioner Jourová said: “The new EU-US Privacy Shield will protect the fundamental rights of Europeans when their personal data is transferred to U.S. companies. For the first time ever, the United States has given the EU binding assurances that the access of public authorities for national security purposes will be subject to clear limitations, safeguards and oversight mechanisms. Also for the first time, EU citizens will benefit from redress mechanisms in this area. In the context of the negotiations for this agreement, the US has assured that it does not conduct mass or indiscriminate surveillance of Europeans.  We have established an annual joint review in order to closely monitor the implementation of these commitments.”

Full press release is available http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-16-216_en.htm