#PrivacyShield European Commission and US agree on new framework for transatlantic data flows

The European Commission and the US have agreed on a new framework for transatlantic data flows: the EU-US Privacy Shield. Today (3 February) the College of Commissioners approved the political agreement reached and has mandated Vice-President Andrus Ansip and Commissioner Věra Jourová to prepare the necessary steps to put the new arrangement in place. This new framework will protect the fundamental rights of Europeans where their data is transferred to the US and ensure legal certainty for businesses. 

Ansip confirmed that the EU and US have agreed on a new strong framework on data flows.

"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," Ansip said. "We have a duty to check, and we will closely monitor the new arrangement to make sure it keeps delivering."

According to Ansip this decision will help build a Digital Single Market in the EU, a trusted and dynamic online environment, and it further strengthens the close partnership with the US. They will work to put it in place as soon as possible.

Jourová said, "For the first time ever, the US 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."

The new EU-US Privacy Shield protects the fundamental rights of Europeans when their personal data is transferred to US companies. Jourová said: "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."

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