Brussels/Washington D.C. — European national data protection authorities today published their non-binding opinion on the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield Framework for commercial data transfers. The opinion acknowledges recent improvements of the transatlantic data framework, but also point to concerns.
Today’s report comes a month after the European Commission concluded that Privacy Shield “continues to ensure an adequate level of protection for personal data transferred […] to participating companies in the U.S.”
Last week the U.S. Administration also announced its intent to nominate Keith Krach as U.S. Under Secretary of State for Growth, Energy, and the Environment. In this capacity, Krach will also serve as permanent Ombudsperson under the Privacy Shield, in part to respond to EU authorities’ request.
Privacy Shield allows more than 4,000 certified companies to transfer personal data for commercial purposes from Europe to the United States. This includes everything from human resource data to insurance claims.
The following can be attributed to CCIA President & CEO Ed Black:
The Computer & Communications Industry Association has been a longtime advocate for frameworks for data transfers with strong data protection safeguards.
“We are glad the White House intends to nominate Keith Krach to be Under Secretary of State for Growth, Energy, and the Environment, and to serve as Ombudsperson for the Privacy Shield Framework. This is an important step forward for thousands of companies and their customers that rely on Privacy Shield to transfer data from Europe to the U.S. We encourage the Senate to expedite confirming the ombudsman.”
The following can be attributed to CCIA Europe Senior Manager Alexandre Roure:
“We note the opinion issued by the European Data Protection Board, and are encouraged by their acknowledgment of recent improvements to strengthen Privacy Shield since its adoption in 2016. We concur with the European Commission that Privacy Shield provides robust privacy safeguards for the data flows that underpin the transatlantic economy.”