Brussels — The European Justice Commissioner, Věra Jourová, today presented the full details of the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield, the new framework for transatlantic commercial data flows.
The framework includes major privacy safeguards including: strong obligations on participating companies and enforcement, limitations and safeguards on government access, redress possibilities for consumers, and annual reviews.
Today’s announcement follows the political agreement announced on 2nd February. The Commission’s draft adequacy decision will now require approval by the Article 31 Committee composed of representatives of the EU Member States. The framework is expected to enter into force in mid-2016.
The European Commission press release explained that the “new framework will protect the fundamental rights of Europeans where their data is transferred to the United States and ensure legal certainty for businesses.”
“The EU-U.S. Privacy Shield is a tremendous victory for privacy, individuals, and businesses on both sides of the Atlantic.” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker.
The Computer & Communications Industry Association welcomes the text of the new EU-U.S. Privacy Shield. The following can be attributed to CCIA International Policy Director Christian Borggreen, who is based in Brussels:
“The Privacy Shield will provide strong privacy safeguards, legal certainty for companies and it enhances transatlantic trust.”
“Privacy Shield will enable companies to safely transfer data between the world’s two largest economies. It bridges the privacy frameworks of the EU and U.S., which are essentially equivalent.”
“We applaud the EU and U.S. for agreeing to strong privacy safeguards that limit government access to commercial data.”
“The Privacy Shield includes strong U.S. Government commitments, many company obligations, and privacy safeguards for consumers, which will enable commerce and help to restore trust.”