Brussels — European Data Protection Authorities today issued a non-binding opinion on the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield, the new framework for transatlantic commercial data transfers.
The Chair of the Article 29 Working Party, Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin, called Privacy Shield a “major improvement” and a “great step forward” from its predecessor, the Safe Harbour.
The Working Party did however request further clarifications and asked that the Privacy Shield be reviewed in two years time when the EU’s new Data Protection framework takes effect.
EU Member States are requested to adopt the European Commission’s adequacy decision allowing the Privacy Shield to enter into force as early as mid-June 2016.
The Computer & Communications Industry Association agrees that the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield is a major improvement. It is moreover essential to our transatlantic economy as thousands of small and medium-sized businesses depend it for data flows.
The following can be attributed to CCIA Europe Director, Christian Borggreen:
“Europe’s economy depends on information sharing with the world. We encourage Member States to adopt the Privacy Shield without delay to provide legal clarity for thousands of European and U.S. companies and consumers.”
“We take note of the Article 29 Working Party’s recognition that the Privacy Shield is a ‘major improvement’ and its request for further clarifications.”
“EU and US negotiators had the wisdom to include review clauses to continuously assess and improve Privacy Shield if deemed needed.”